For those of us who owned the Paradisea back in the day and who have since moved on to upsampling DACs (in my case a modded EE Minimax) what can be expected from the Orchid?

Yes I happen to have that soundtrack - very nice.   Regarding ''Moffat'' bass. I remember seeing that somewhere which is why I was inquiring about the Gumby's bass. The Yggy's presentation might be closer to what I need but with the crappy Canadian dollar its price is just out of reach for me...

I haven't tried all the ESS DACs out there but the few that I did try did have a similar bass signature. I would like to think that the implementation in a 5K Invicta DAC would better that of a 1K DAC.   I'm looking for tighter, more tuneful bass as opposed to more bass. Right now it's what's...

Too lazy to sift through endless pages - would appreciate if someone could comment on Gumby's bass characteristics. Particularly if you own, or have previously owned, an ESS9018 based DAC.   Thanks

I briefly owned the DA8 which is a step up from the D18 and didn't like its sound signature all that much.   As previously mentioned by prot I would have thought the Gustard X20, Minimax Supreme and LKS to be more interesting. Then, moving away from ESS chips, there's the Gungnir Multibit or...

Hi,   I've been hearing about the X20 for some time now but it somehow slipped under my radar and have just began reading up on it a bit more. In fact all the rave reviews and reasonable price have now got me considering it as my next DAC. After owning two 9018 based DACs (kept one, sold the...

I've been holding off buying a new DAC since last spring. The idea of paying $2000-2500 was the main reason.   I had been looking mainly at Chord 2Qute and Aqua La Voce being under the impression that the Yggy was a bit of a letdown. Thin sounding, needing long warm ups, and lacking bass. I...

What about the notion that a SMPS directly/indirectly in the audio chain is not a good idea as it can potentially ''pollute'' the signal?

Pick it up and hold it in your hands (or have someone do it for you) in the middle of a tune. If it really is susceptible to resonance you should be able to hear an instant A/B improvement. Try it ''blind'' a few times.   If not it's probably another case of expectation bias psycho-acoustical...

Thanks for your impressions. Based on those comments it does seem a bit quirky but intriguing nevertheless. The dirty power issue could prove problematic for me.   I'll try and get out for a listen and maybe take one home today.

Not that important I suppose as the Qute and the Hugo are cut from the same cloth.   I keep reading how fantastic the Hugo sounds but it always boils down to comments such as ''I'm hearing stuff I never heard before on (insert audiophile recording of your choice).   I also picked up a few...

Been flipping through this thread looking for comments on the 2Qute's actual sound quality or comparatives with other DACs and have found very little other than a Chord dealer's rave comparison to another Chord product.   From the little that I've gathered here and elsewhere I'm under the...

I'm glad I held on to my SB Touch but if I was shopping I'd seriously consider this:  http://www.audiostream.com/content/auralic-ariesmini

How about if the ballerinas are naked and in your living room?

I've been searching for an actual in depth review and haven't found one. Mostly debate over D/S vs R2R than anything else. I also looked around on other forums and was only able to dig up a few announcements about its release but that's about it.   I know John Darko (digital audio review)...