Long-time fan of sound quality... I've worked as a audio Engineer, Sound field recordist, been in a band, done sound design, and I just really love listening to music (I'd say it's hobby number uno), etc... but until now, I've not really invested my own money into it.
Recently I needed some distraction as I'm going through a tough time, a new hobby, something to occupy the time. Today when I got home from work, I had two parcels waiting. Very excited now!
A brand new DAC and Headphone Amp :)
I'm mostly just letting the Burson burn in at the moment but I'm running the Hlly Pre-amp out to my rather modest Creative Inspire computer speakers. It's a cheap-ish Chinese DAC. I was between that or the Yulong D100 for a DAC. But the Hlly was significantly cheaper and plus I liked the aesthitcs and the remote and I got it on a bid for around $240. Eventually I'm sure I'll upgrade and maybe even get the new upcoming Burson DAC someday but for now I thought this kind of DAC would do.
I have to say, I didn't expect very much from it but I am totally blown away after 3 hours of listening through the creative speakers. It's very Liquid sounding...like, clear and distinct but not dry sounding... It's hard to describe. I'd almost say the music feels like it has more reverb...not reverb really but like, more distance. Before it was more muffled and compressed. Now it's more distinct but just as present.
My onboard audio from my computer offers 192000 Hz and I always thought it sounded good.
This simple DAC offers only 48000 Hz and blows it away. The whoe experience of listening to music through the same speaker system is just smoother and I guess.. to use a commonly used description, yes, there is a real clarity here.
Now I'm wondering what a really high-end DAC might have to offer. But this one will definitely do for now. It's better than I've hear for a long time :)
As for the Burson... I did give it a quick preview although not too much since I didn't want to judge it before a proper burn in. The soundstage was what most impressed me. I felt like I was listening to an stereo expander almost. Again, to use a cliché, Clarity is the word that comes to my mind.
Next upgrade will be Headphones....
I just got some K701's (with about 120 hours burn in now) but I'm really interest in Orthos or maybe Stax someday...
I'm really enjoying this hobby so far.
