Hi Currawong!
You're welcome to any information you wish from me. As far as any connection between myself and Steve, the only one is my relationship as a customer since 1997. I've owned Decware equipment since the purchase of Zen amp #27, the 27th amp he shipped, built before Rev. A, B, or C, a cool little amp. I've gone on to buy four more amplifiers since then (only selling one, the Select, at least so far) and to purchase their ZBox, ZCD, DEC685, ZCD and CSP2 components, and RL1, RL2 and (not on the Website) IT speakers in the Radial series. I'm an experienced, loyal, and satisfied Decware customer. I've posted on their forums since the day I bought #27.
For several years Steve had let it known he was working on a digital source for his product line and I have had my ear to the ground. I got cable for the first time last summer, and realized that the analog out from my cable DVR was really not up to snuff in comparison to my other sources. A DAC from Decware seemed promising to me, fan of Steve's designs that I am. At first it seemed as if Steve was going to market an over 5,000 dollar DAC/headphone amp/preamp that I am sure is the cat's meow, but out of my price range. I then tried two DACs I had on hand, a Cambridge Audio Iso, and the DAC in the Peach Tree Audio Decco that I have, and the sound was much improved from the DVR. Just as I decided a newer DAC would be a nice final component for my current system, Steve announced that ZDAC-1, and I placed an order. (And when the ZDAC-1 arrived, I felt immediately that the sound was the best I'd yet heard from the DVR).
As soon as I did I of course became a bit obsessed about finding out whatever I could about the machine. Waiting for Steve's products is a necessary thing that can be a bit exciting. When I learned that a few units had shipped, I looked around to see what there might be online as far as product announcements or forum threads, or possibly even a first review. I checked here, because though I haven't registered previously, I have perused these forums and found a lot of interesting and helpful information, and some entertaining reading for an audio enthusiast. I also am aware that several of the audiophiles I've most enjoyed interacting with on the web over the years have had Head-Fi amps and/or been participants in the forum. A thread for the ZDAC-1 was already four pages long, sparked a bit by the controversy over the use of a Chinese board.
I confess that I have no problem typing words into cyberspace, so in typical fashion I went on and on about my experiences with the ZDAC-1. Hope I didn't endanger anyone with drowsiness . . . :)
I AM interested in reading about the ZDAC-1 and hope that there is more to read about, I would like to see this product in the hands of and aimed at the ears of others, but I receive no compensation for anyone purchasing one other than the satisfaction of possibly communicating with someone about the machine itself in the future.
The ZDAC-1 is making very nice music right now as a Duke Ellington cd spins. :)
Edited by Lonson - 5/18/10 at 4:06pm
. There is no need to be belligerent and I certainly didn't intend to offend you. I just felt that in reading this thread there was some misinformation and ad hominem going on that I saw as unfair, and as such wanted to comment about it. I am not saying that *you* were responsible for said negativity, although it could have been taken that way.
