I got the 10.32 which I presume is near enough the same.   I have never bothered looking for another dac/amp since as its just brilliant.   I am running HD800's balanced (normal cable) and the sound is sublime.

The differences between ACSS and XLR are the sound levels but I would be hard put to tell if one was better than the other.  SE v Balanced, I think there is a more of a difference but once again different sound levels.  I dont have M9   but the Ref 10.32 which is close I presume.   Sounds...

I think most of us who bought this are done to be honest.   There are no great improvement past this point.  You got one of the best dac/amp combos going.  Any differences are going to be very small past this point.    If you a person who  buys amp/dac combo you are probably  willing to...

Improvements are generally small.   The change/improvement you will get with changing headphones/speakers is probably 10x the amount you will get with changing dacs/amps.  Thats my opinion having fannyed around changing these.  

Just a heads up here, the sound in this game is absolutely top notch!  The game is pretty good as well if you like space sims.

get an audio gd 10.32 and you are done. Great DAC, Great Amplifier.   Works perfectly with a balanced HD800 (standard lead).  

I really think you about as good as you get with an audio gd 10.32.   The difference between a cheap audio gd integrated and expensive integrated is subtle.  I think you can probably change the flavour of the sound but highly unlikely to get the sound better.  

The difference between correctly implemented chips is so subtle, its hard to really tell the difference.  I have an low end wolfson chip based DAC (nfb 12) and a mid priced R2R (audio gd ref 10.32) and the difference is there but its minor.  Yes the 10.32 is better but so is the amping on that...

I have the Reference 10.32 with HD800 and can vouch its superb.  I do have my HD800 lead balanced.  End game for me !  (Rarely use my other phones HD650)

  with the soundstage of the HD800, this recording is brilliant!  You can really get a sense of the room size etc

I think any of the top end balanced audio gd dacs will be good.  Master 7, nfb-7 or nfb-8 will be brilliant with the master 9.  Very subtle differences between the 3 types of DAC.

I am running the HD800 with the Audio-gd Reference 10.32.  A marriage made in heaven in my opinion, having tried a wolfson amp/ dac which does work well with the slightly brighter HD800 sound, but pcm 1704uk dac of the Reference 10.32 is sublime. The Ref 10.32 does give a very natural sound.  I...

I posted in the other hd800 thread  Anything by Concha Buika is superb  

Just giving you a heads up anything by Concha buika sounds sublime on the HD800.

Earl Bostic's version of Poéme by Ernest Chausson   Thanks for the that, nice piece.

The mamas and the papas California dreamin  

I agree with you guys so far, only debate for me would be welcome to the jungle, whether sweet child of mine or paradise city would be the defining track for Guns and roses.  The intro to Welcome to the Jungle is just superb. thanks.

samuel barber - adagio for strings  (yep platoon ost) john lennon  - woman / jealous guy barbara streisand - the way we were pink floyd   - wish you were here

if you like radiohead. paranoid android always fun on the headphones.

I will start this off with the group Roxy Music from their self titled album.       This is a clever song with a mediocre beginning followed by incredible second and third verses.  This would be my defining track of Roxy Music.  Arguments welcomed.

so you could call it  a "royale with cheese" as it is cheesey ;)

presume you are trolling......   not sure where you get madonna has twice as many albums; record sales which include all formats singles etc yes I agree.  Anyway you are off topic we are talking about best female vocals ;)

I will get the ball rolling ........ Talking. Heads. This must be the place http://[=http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c44gIVDaRUs [VIDEO[=http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c44gIVDaRUs][/VIDEO] Not only a great song but IMO great mastering

Bowie  The rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.     Close contenders DSOM, WYWH.

not enough respect for Barbara Streisand!     No one comes close to shifting as many albums as this lady.   All time greatest.  And the fact she is one of the greatest actors .....  They dont make em like they used to.. Brings emotion to her songs like no other