I've heard the Hugo 2, sounded kind of on the dry and clinical side to me, and that doesn't work well with Focal. Dacs are pretty overrated IMO. I'd be willing to bet the jump in sound quality is greater going from a PC source to an SOTM renderer than the Fostex to nearly any DAC.

Just want to say how great and underrated this DAC is! I recently had a PS Audio Directstream and a Borderpatrol Dac SE in house to compare. IMO the Fostex sounded clearly better than the BP and was right on par with the Directstream (Redcloud) in nearly every area. The Fostex is a mellow-ish...

Just wanted to say after listening to probably $60k 2 channel system this weekend and numerous demos of high end speakers, they all fell a little short of what D7000 delivers in spades: Clarity and detail WITH warmth, tone, and musicality! It's a rare balancing act and these headphones are...

I absolutely love these things for rock music. The dynamics, the extra touch of slightly warm bass, the clarity and detail of the guitars. Good electric guitar just freaking GROWLS with these cans. I have $12k Martin Logan speakers that can't keep up with these headphones for big, loud...

How is that WA7/D7000 pairing? I've moved my Fostex HPA8 into my 2 channel setup and eying that WA7 pretty hard.

Fostex HP-A8 Controls the bass so well, I love it.

I took a flier on a refurb A8 for $500 and man, I couldn't be happier. It was indistinguishable from brand new, completely flawless. It sounds amazing with Denon D7000 - bass is super tight now, and presentation is somehow smooth yet detailed all at once. I would lean more toward mellow...

HPA4BL for $399 HPA8 refurb for $599 Which one would you guys recommend to drive a Denon D7000?

Am I safe to assume A8 will also pair well with a Denon D7000 if it goes so nicely with TH900?

$500-600 or so. I'd prefer a modern DAC with a nice linear/neutral amp section. I'd also prefer that it doesn't look like a metal box assembled in someone's garage. If it can also power some small desktop speakers that would be a nice bonus. Currently have my eye on Peachtree Nova 65 and Denon...

Could anyone recommend a dac/amp out of the latest offerings that pair well with D7000?