I've asked Aqua this question before. Their response was: "If your audio system has no problem in ground loop interference, RCA/XLR can be used simultaneous."

As rafabro says, this is highly subjective and system-dependent, but to my ears the S3 had a little more detail and the S2 was perhaps a little warmer. But the same 'house sound' overall. I'm keen to listen to a La Scala though, from what I've heard it's a good step up.

I had the opportunity to listen to an S3 and TBH it didn't feel like a big step forward from my S2. So I decided not to do the upgrade. YMMV of course.

Hi, I still have the DAC (in fact I've enjoyed it a lot) but I never got round to making that USB>I2S converter. a) After doing more research, it didn't seem like it would make a big enough difference to warrant the effort required. b) In my setup, it made more sense to connect via BNC/Co-axial...

I have an Olasonic Nano-CD1 transport. About as small as it gets. Not much space for air in there. (It was the only transport I could find that was small enough to share a shelf with my Mac Mini.) Have had it for about a year & very happy with it so far. Sure, it's expensive for what it it is...

A small (let's say Saga-sized) 20wpc Class AB integrated would certainly not be unprecedented. The 25wpc Perreaux SX25i is another example. Dimensions were: 216mm x 58mm x 192mm (8.5” x 2.3” x 7.6”) Only one input though.

I speak the language of Covfefe so I can translate the above: 'Sim hit' = (colloquial) Schiit 'occsomsly' = occasionally 'fsllthrojfnf the crocks' = falling through the cracks* * This phrase is often confused with the covfefian phrase 'fsllthrojfnf thakk rocks', which means, 'man who harbours...

Ooh.. I'd be very interested to hear how that turns out. I have a pair of the base model Super 3i's and I'm really enjoying them. (Rest of the setup is Modi MB, Lyr MK1 (used as pre) and Quad II power amps. Very curious what an Aegir would do instead of the Quads.)

I can't even begin to pretend to understand how any of this technical stuff works, but this might be something similar to the way that AMR uses a valve in the SPDIF input circuit: http://old-site.amr-audio.co.uk/html/dp777_tech-papers_spdif.html You'll have to read through the whole thing; they...

The way I remember it, having a couple of drinks did usually equate to quite a pleasant listening experience. Then again, I haven't had a drink in many years, and it's not as if my enjoyment of music has been impacted in any meaningful way. I think it's really just about being in a more relaxed...

I agree with you, in principle. The actual parts used in that line stage could probably get you to $6,000, but certainly not to $60,000. I could be wrong, but I don't know of any output transistors that cost $500 a pop. Or PSU's that retail for $2,500 apiece. I know, all the bling enclosures...

Talk of new stuff coming further down the pipeline is always intriguing. I'm really excited to listen to the Aegir though.

Would I be right to assume that with 24/176.4 material there's no further upsampling either?

Technics have used some gallium-based components, I believe. (I think they use gallium nitride / GaN )

Wireworld offers USB cables in 0.3m lengths. I use an Ultraviolet7 ($46) which I'm very happy with, but you can go lower (Chroma@$23) or higher (Starlight7@$85) or even much higher. ('Zon prices.) P.S. Is your amp a Luxman?

Couldn't agree more. Switching the old phone off always works for me. I work in an ad agency, so I can identify with Clients wanting to see things 'to see whether they like it'.

At £4 a pop I thought these 'Mullard' 6BQ7A's would be worth a shot: (bought from UK source) Don't bother. Unless I'm being subjected to the world's longest burn-in phenomenon (or the ones I was sent are out of spec)? Even the stock GE 6BZ7's are better. Tried some 80's 6H23 Rocket logos. Much...

"25 watt Class A amp" Yes please.

Agreed. The Aqua guys are very helpful. A classy operation. I have the PCM1704K version and love it. Clean, smooth, non-fatiguing. Complements my system perfectly. (Accuphase E-212 + Spendor A2) I've been using mostly the USB input, but I'm in the process of planning a high-quality, outboard...

There's an article about the Schiitr on audio-head. I love how the resident CD player is a humble Tascam CD-200. Wish I'd had the time to visit during my last trip to LA.

Yes, that's the one.

I have had the opportunity to compare the Ares to my reference Ayon CD-5 CD Player/DAC, amongst others. Take what I say with a grain of salt though; I don't speak 'audiophile'. Ares sound is very balanced, no frequencies seem unduly emphasised. I found it liquid, smooth and easy to listen to for...

Interesting finding. One would expect similar performance because the USB chip is the same XMOS U208. Perhaps the Crystek clocks in the F1 make the difference? I actually have an F1 but never thought to try it with the Ares.

Here's another Amazon link, with a shot of the interior: https://www.amazon.com/SMSL-M8A-ES9028Q2M-Optical-Coaxial/dp/B06XW8WS1R/ref=pd_sbs_23_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B06XW8WS1R&pd_rd_r=GXR6YY518TWB40HQFT86&pd_rd_w=KTlyq&pd_rd_wg=LXfyH&psc=1&refRID=GXR6YY518TWB40HQFT86

Perhaps the only way to be sure is to open it up and have a look at the chip itself?