X1k to all of the above replies. You will NOT be disappointed with a Speedballed Crack & HD650 combined with just about any DAC. They are a match made in heaven. As stated previously, you can tube roll to your preferences. As far as modding, the sky is the limit with this amp; caps, pots, etc...

So you're sayin they are too cheap? And you're dead set on spending 2400? The Woo WDS-1 is half that and the Schitt Gungnir is 1/3 the price. Then there's the Teac DSD balanced for about the same too...Hmmm. Indulge us as to why???

Wow. What a collection. Wonder what he wants for it. Deal or top dollar? Hour and a half road trip...perfect!

Well I guess by the zero response that no one owns one or has any experience with this one. I needed some info by tomorrow since I will possibly be purchasing this unit then. I can get it for about 3 bills if that helps. Sold for 15. Has Burr Brown PCM1738 24bit/192khz DAC and a Sony KHM 234AAA...

Where's a good place for samples?

Well I cheated a little to resolve my issues which were purely computer related. I used my wife's Macbook Pro with OS 10.7.5 and used itunes with no problems. It even sounds better with her laptop than with the IMAC. I downloaded the Teac player on the Macbook and it seems to work well too. By...

Thanks for the responses. The cheapo cable is a Belkin gold with the purple connectors. I'll try some of the suggestions today. I was using iTunes as the player. I'll download a different one. The Teac player requires a higher version OS than I'm using so I need to get that OS upgraded as well...

No I didn't. I just plugged and played. No patience I guess. I'll check that out. I also noticed that on this MAC I'm running OS 10.5.8. I think I need to upgrade that too. I have it. Just haven't done it. Well I know what I'll be doing this weekend...Thanks for the info koiloco

Is anyone familiar with this unit that I believe is from about 03-04? The reason I ask is that I have the opportunity to purchase one for not that much money. I know it received good reviews back then so I know it's a quality piece. The deal is that I own about 2000 mostly redbook CD's and I'd...

Well it's setup and been listening for a few hours. Hard to tell when this is my first dedicated DAC that I've ever owned. When compared to using just the MAC's DAC there is no comparison. A clear and obvious improvement. My system is IMAC 2010>UD501 via cheapo USB cable>Soon to be Speedballed...

I appreciate the insight regarding the choices and in trying to make them. I have made my decision to get the silver 501. I have a older vintage yamaha silverface and my bottlehead has a silver top. So that wasn't too dificult. I'm going to order it up as soon as I get home today. Worse case is...

That really was a very profound dissertation I must say. In all seriousness, thank you for that music man. I do realize that the teac is very modifiable. And I really like that you gave it a "musical" rating. What exactly are we talking about as far as beefing up the power supply. I've heard...

Does anyone know how a uber-frost thru usb2 would stack up against this DAC as I was just about to pull the trigger on the little schiit, but ran into the possibility to get one of these for about the same price as the schiit. The balanced outs, DSD capability would be nice but what I'm wanting...

Yes very interesting. And the same price as a non-uber, non usb bifrost. Decisions-Decisions. This is tuff. Anyone have any insight they can offer? My setup is imac>dac>speedballed crack>hd650. I will be ordering one or the other by weeks end. Thanks

Thanks for that info BruinAnteater. That helps alot. That is most likely what I will order, the Uber w/o usb. My dilema now is that a friend recommended another DAC, the SimAudio Moon 100D. 350 @ MD. Still researching, but leaning towards the Schiit...BTW, I'll be using mostly Macs for source.

"Thus far, I havent A/B'ed the difference between USB Bifrost playing 96/24 vs Optical, or USB playing 44/16 native vs Optical upsampled, or USB playing 192/24 native vs Optical downsampled. For those of you who have ran the Bifrost in both USB and Optical/Coax mode, which do you preferer, SQ...

This is what they said when I asked them about their design vs the original. "Basically they are exactly the same circuit using all the same electronic components just laid out differently on a more compact and better designed printed circuit board. This saves room in the amp for additional...

Yeah fraggler, I feel the same regarding it going away which is why I may just order one up soon before it does. BTW, thats why I didn't post on the BH forum. It looks more pleasing to the eye and I wonder if that's all there is to it. SQ would be a whole other story though. Hmmmm...

Thanks for the reply chavac. I pretty much figured it would be a good starting place for me. Is the usb option a must have? I'll be using an Imac for source. What I'm still curious about is that speedball circuit that's available on eBay from the link I provided. Is it the exact same circuitry...

The "STK pack" as it is commonly referred to is a large electronic component within the power amp circuit that takes the place of many power transistors in a discrete type of circuit layout. The problem with them is that when they go, you have to track one down and replace the entire pack as...

I've got a "R" series Yamaha from the early 80's as well. It's an R2000 rated at 150wpc. I bought it brand new along with a bunch of other classic pieces. They sound great with my JBL L112's. The only thing I've had to do is replace the STK's once. I also have a Fisher CA880 integrated. Another...

Hi all, I've been reading on this board for some time but just joined today. I'm a bit of a newbie into the hi-end headphone arena. My first pair was some realistics from radio shack. Then I got a pair of Koss pro4a's decades ago. I've got some musical background as far as playing and recently...