[MusicEnthusiast]

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That depends on the implementation. If made well there shouldn't be any difference.

Sweet! That opens some doors for me in terms of price lol. Thanks for the input rawrster.

 

[Gandah]

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Sheesh, that's a ton! I heard that the QB9 is a good USB DAC... Only problem is that I've heard USB doesn't reproduce as good of quality music than Coax S/PDIF does, lol. Thanks for that list preproman! Gonna start fideling with the pc to look at these.

USB is a real hit and miss when it comes to SQ, and I also don't think it just comes down to your dac alone although some dac's have better usb chipsets then others.  For now the dac I'm using is the Asus Xonar essence one "XEO" which is driving me nuts with its chl imbalance potentiometers.... Anyhow using the XEO usb, toslink, or coaxial makes no SQ difference on my main PC no matter what connection I use, however using my laptop or my g'friends PC, usb is a completely different story, SQ is terrible and toslink is the better choice
 
So now when I hear someone say usb isn't that great on a particular dac I don't take it as gospel, so to speak......

 

[MusicEnthusiast]

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USB is a real hit and miss when it comes to SQ, and I also don't think it just comes down to your dac alone although some dac's have better usb chipsets then others.  For now the dac I'm using is the Asus Xonar essence one "XEO" which is driving me nuts with its chl imbalance potentiometers.... Anyhow using the XEO usb, toslink, or coaxial makes no SQ difference on my main PC no matter what connection I use, however using my laptop or my g'friends PC, usb is a completely different story, SQ is terrible and toslink is the better choice
 
So now when I hear someone say usb isn't that great on a particular dac I don't take it as gospel, so to speak......

Hrmmm, interesting. Thanks Gandah.

 

[Solude]

I think it is fairer to say onboard USB is generally not as well implemented as SPDIF.  Offboard USB>SPDIF converter though can be purchased that do it right.  As time goes on the lessons learned in stand alone devices will trickle into the DACs.

 

[MusicEnthusiast]

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I think it is fairer to say onboard USB is generally not as well implemented as SPDIF.  Offboard USB>SPDIF converter though can be purchased that do it right.  As time goes on the lessons learned in stand alone devices will trickle into the DACs.

Could you give us an example of this onboard and offboard?

 

[Solude]

For example, as much as I like the PWD2 it's USB input is minimalist.  However something like a John Kenny or Audiophilleo does a great job of handling all the issues inherent with USB input, mostly the noise from the PC itself.
 
There are exceptions though.  The new Metrum DACs have great USB as does Audio-GD top shelf DACs.

 

[MusicEnthusiast]

Are you referring to a USB-SPDIF Bridge? What's the benefit of these? Wouldn't using the Coax SPDIF on the dec be just as good?

 

[MusicEnthusiast]

Opps, you can disregard the post above... beat me to it lol.

 

[Hi Rez]

Was able to listen to the GSX MK2 at the Denver meet today.  Justin let me use it with my QB-9 and LCD-3.  Sigh.  I knew I shouldn't go to the meet....

 

[CDWMcInSpots]

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I guess $2,000 would be my budget for the DAC.

 
That would fall just under both the PWD2 and BDA-2 unless you can find a local Bryston dealer willing to deal down from the $2400 MSRP.  

 
I assume Lynx Hilo, Benchmark DAC2 HGC and Grace Design m903 will be within budget(?)

 

[johangrb]

Just placed my order. This thread is dangerous to any wallet!

 

[preproman]

Ha ha.. Glad to see you join the club.  You'll love the amp. It will give you a different sound when compared to the M3.

 

[s4s4s4]

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A second BDA-2 

Yes, my BDA-2 is with my speaker system, using an explorer with my headphone set-up. maybe one more week till my second one arrives.

 

[Cante Ista]

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Just placed my order. This thread is dangerous to any wallet!

3rd batch or still 2nd batch? Congrats either way! and yes, welcome to the club.

 

[preproman]

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Yes, my BDA-2 is with my speaker system, using an explorer with my headphone set-up. maybe one more week till my second one arrives.

 
What's an explorer?