I have a question that will determine whether I order now or wait...   Will the X5 display cover art for FLAC using a file named cover.jpg, which is placed in the album's folder?  (In other words, one cover.jpg for every album and the cover file gets used for every song on that album).   Also...

Just stirring the pot a bit...  Isn't DSD a dead format for all intents and purposes?  SACD shares essentially the same fate as all optical media, no?  Not my expert opinion per se, but I do remember reading quite a bit of technical data about 24 bit PCM providing 24db additional dynamic range...

Quote:   I'm reading some very positive reviews of the Harbeth P3esr too.  Given my room size and closer placement to the wall, these seem like a good pairing with the Leben.  I wonder if bass response will be adequate?

I'm want to upgrade my speakers and plan to spend somewhere around $3000-$3,500 US.  I'm pretty much set on getting a BBC style, stand-mounted, monitor speaker and have read some very good things about the pairing of Leben with ProAc, specifically the Response D Two, though I think the Leben in...

Quote:   I felt your pain about 1.5 yr. backwards in time within this thread.  In my case I had bought the dealer's model to avoid waiting 2 months for a new unit, and the dealer's unit turned out to have balance issues and a problem with the headphone out.  My dealer simply got me a new...

Quote: In short, no.  If you are using a PC or Mac though as your source it is pretty trivial to solve because you can change the sample rate being sent to the DAC-2 in the OS / software- i.e. resampling.  Conversely, if you are sending the DAC-2 a digital stream directly (no computer) at a...

My CS-300XS was produced in Sept. 2011.  There is absolutely no lack of power with headphones. Pushing the volume over 10:00 is just painful and destructive.     This makes me wonder if the issue is not one related to the source.  If you're not getting adequate volume, you may have a unit in...

Does anyone know what the supported sample rates are on the DAC-2?  Specifically, I'm looking for the minimum supported sample rate.     I have run into an issue where feeding an internet talk radio feed to the DAC-2 results in the stream sounding sped up, like 'chipmunks' talking.  The...

Perhaps this isn't the right place to ask, but does anyone know if it is possible to fix the latency with the DAC-2 when you connect a Macbook Pro via USB and watch a video or movie using VLC or similar app.  I have found that there is a significant delay which makes watching Youtube videos or...

Also, something to keep in mind...  The DAC-2 is upgradable (digital, analog output, & USB boards) and when a compelling chipset comes along and the timing is right, I'm sure W4S will offer it.

Quote: This review is spot on.  The $1,499 price is money well spent on the DAC-2.  Zero regrets.  I imagine this DAC is going to take a significant portion of business from The Benchmarks of this world and also the guy(s) building in their basements who can't - a.) meet even low/moderate...

The U.S. price for the Leben CS300XS was $3,795 as of Nov. 30, 2011.  That price was stated to be raised for 2012 and may already be close to $4,500 now.

Quote: After a hardwire (rear panel) power on, the front panel blinks on then off, remains unlit and the signal is muted until you press the front panel button.  I refer to this as standby, the signal is muted in standby.  With everything else I like about the DAC-2, this is the one item...

One small thing bothering me - Is there a way to power up the DAC-2 into the 'powered on' position.  Currently, when I flip the rear power switch on, the DAC-2 powers up then goes into muted standby.

I don't use iTunes for music.  My 2500+ album library is probably more than 95% FLAC and 10% of that is true high resolution.  I'm more interested in how standalone players with FLAC playback capability interface with audio/midi and the DAC-2, especially when it comes to passing the native...

Quote: Ok, thanks.  I was using XLD as a player on OSX.  It's probably defaulting to the audio/midi set up.  I'll guess that XLD, being more of a FLAC rip program, only has a rudimentary playback which is not passing sample rate along to the OS.  I'll probably look at Amarra soon, but...

Why doesn't the DAC-2 display actual sample rate when connected vis USB input?  Even when playing Redbook via USB input the DAC-2 displays 192k.  Or, does it upsample via USB?

I think the 2-tone black finish looks good.  The faceplate's powdercoat black is the standard stereo component black that matches pretty much every factory black component ever made.  The hammered charcoal case finish is complementary to the faceplate. The DAC-2 finish makes a nice match with a...

Go for the Leben and don't look back.  It sounds superb with so many kinds of music.  My favorite quality of this amp is tonality.  Instruments just sound right, period.

I'm really very pleased so far with my DAC-2.  Anyone kicking around this purchase should not hesitate.  The DAC-2 sounds superb out of the box.  I'm really taken with both the amount and the quality of bass.  Sure there has been lots of talk about how detailed this DAC is and how the high end...

Quote: I think the V-link II would give you a couple nice benefits for little additional cost.  Specifically, you will be able to stream higher resolution above 16/48, which I believe you will appreciate when the opportunity arises, given your preference for vinyl.  Personally, I really...

Quote: It matters if you either need or like to know how a piece of gear will perform before you purchase it.  Many people buy cars, even luxury vehicles, without knowing the horsepower or mpg.  But then again, when they can't go 0-60 in less than 8 sec...some specs take on new...

Quote:   They are probably worth a try with the caveats that I haven't heard the Decware and also that I'm not trying to fanboy the Regas by any means.  In fact, while the RS1 has been a great match for me so far, I am using them as a stepping stone as I plan to move to a pair of ProAcs...

I would have to agree with this.  I tested 6-7 different speakers, including 2 other sets I currently own, over the course of three months for my small dedicated listening room.  I discovered that reasonably sensitive speakers, ones that are easy to drive - i.e. without a big impedance curve...

Also, another feature clarified to me on the call was the balance function on the remote.  It only works in variable mode.