I would also recommend a Beresford TC-7510. Excellent DAC and would give you a few bucks for music or to go towards your amp or headphones.

I have my beresford getting its signal from Winamp using direct kernel streaming of ALAC files. Optical out to the Beresford and using it's headphone amp for Alessandro MS2i's. No hiss, no humm, VERY good sound. I'll be interested to hear the difference when the DV 336i comes out from under the...

I use my Ipod as an external drive and Kernel streamaing through an AV-710 optical to a DAC and amp in the office. With Apple Lossless files, I can say it sounds pretty darn good. Winamp is easier to use and now does ALAC. I would be surprised if a docking station could do all that though, I'll...

I think that an ipod as a source can sound very good, you just need to think about your usage. Normally in a portable setting, you can't appreciate the extra fidelity of a high end sound b/c of the background noice (subway, kids in the car, 100 mph wind on the helmet......) For that use get a...

Curse you DarkVoice, I thought I had my Christmas list all decided on!!!! Now I have to reevaluate and decide all over again!

Unless you are willing to wait for a good deal on the used forums, the LD line is a great way to go!

This is great, one thing you can do is get a Zu cable on eBay for pretty cheap and start with that, then one end is already done. It worked great for me. thanks for the great thread!

Ok, this is all great, but ..... if you can tap into the signal after the DAC, and if your going to have an external enclosure anyway..... could you tap into the signal BEFORE the DAC and use the external space to convert to optical or coax digital out? Now that would be AWESOME. A resonabely...

I would venture that when you are in a setting that requires a protable setup, the ambient/background noise is such that the sonic improvements suggested above might be moot.

I used to have an LDII+ and gots lots of comments on it and the Grado Sr-80s. Now I have a Beresford that nodbody notices, but the DV 336i is under the Chirstmas tree with a set of Alessandro MS2i's. I imagine I'll get some conversation then.

ER4P, I've had them so long the cord is turning green, but they still sound great!

Excellent discussion, now I feel better attempting to improve my Alessandro MS2i's!

How much difference did the boutique parts make in your different SOHA's? Do you think it was worth the increased price?

That sounds promising. Can you point me in the direction of information about how to do this, or who could do it for me? Is it brain surgery?

Thanks, I just did. I'll report back on what he says.