[grmnasasin0227]

Can anybody tell me anything about this tank?
 
http://www.ciaudio.com/products/VDA2
 
It seems like it fits the price range for decent entry/midrange DACs, but I haven't heard any mention of it on this forum, most of the hubbub is about the upcoming Bifrost, A-GD stuff, etc.

How does it stack up with the "usual" picks that most people have here?

 

[grmnasasin0227]

Bump? Any insight?

 

[USAudio]

I had one quite some time back and loved it.  Most folks seem to feel it performs at a level well above it's price.
Plus, the build quality is top notch.  I replaced it with a much more expensive unit (Lavry DA11).
The VDA-2 is an excellent DAC, but no USB input though if you're interested in that.
FYI - I believe CIAudio has a new DAC coming out soon that supports USB.   http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=93103.0

 

[grmnasasin0227]

Thanks for the reply--however I'm not too interested in USB input (I'm a PC guy first, so I know better than to use USB for much of anything )

 

[grmnasasin0227]

Does anybody have any reviews on this comparing it to stuff in the same price bracket? Matrix Quattro, some Audio-GD stuff, anything?

 

[USAudio]

Not exactly what you're looking for but there's some professional reviews listed here: http://www.ciaudio.com/news-reviews/

 

[V-DiV]

I quite like my VDA-2 / VAC-1.  I have it paired with a self built Bijou OTL tube amp.  They make nice sound together.  I don't feel I'm missing anything.  When I was shopping for a DAC, the few reviews that I saw claimed the VDA-2 was as good or better than the Benchmark DAC 1 and PS DL III.  The Channel Islands stuff is made in the U.S., or at least it still was the last time I looked.  It is compact and nice looking.

 

[USAudio]

Quote:

I quite like my VDA-2 / VAC-1.  I have it paired with a self built Bijou OTL tube amp.  They make nice sound together.  I don't feel I'm missing anything.  When I was shopping for a DAC, the few reviews that I saw claimed the VDA-2 was as good or better than the Benchmark DAC 1 and PS DL III.  The Channel Islands stuff is made in the U.S., or at least it still was the last time I looked.  It is compact and nice looking.

Thanks for reminding me, I had a similar experience when shopping for a DAC back then -- I compared the PS DLIII and VDA-2 and kept the VDA-2.