Yes. I went from the Tube DAC to the HD DAC X (still use the Tube). Everything improved: soundstage, noise floor, etc. There are great reviews of both on Brazilian website Clue du Audio.

XLR output is not truly balanced unless you got the optional transformers installed, which Nagra does not advise. They think that adding an extra transformer in the signal path will degrade the sound, so they advise not to use XLR. Unless you have >3m long runs, there is no benefit to XLR -...

The Nagra DAC is not real XLR. Just use RCA, it will sound better (as you noted).

Whoa… I must be living under a rock… where will it be in the lineup, above the Verite or below? I love my Verite Closed in Olive!

I think that depends on how the source treats each mode. For example, the Taiko Extreme has a special USB driver.

Using a high quality filter like the Shunyata Denali on the output side (or input) of the Powerplant will give you the best of both worlds: regenerated AC and noise elimination between components. Why PS Audio is saying in the manual to check is because most power filters/conditioners are...

No. They don’t. Read it again ;)

It seems like you read it but didn’t comprehend what they mean. Let me try to help: they are referring to low quality conditioners that restrict current. The Shunyata products do not. And to ”adding extra power cables to its input” The big drawback with the Powerplants is that they do not...

I have a PS Audio P20. I have never heard that PS Audio advises not to have other conditioners on the same circuit. Actually, you will improve the performance of whatever is connected to the Powerplant by connecting a noise filtering device that cleans the noise on the line, such as the Shunyata...

I just sprayed dry lubricant into the headband (on each side) and it eliminated the creaks! I used Super Lube Dry Film Lubricant. Works like a charm! Finally, no more creaks whenever the headphones touch something :)

Agreed. Nagra is just KILLING IT these days. Their DACs are second to none for the price point or even above. BTW, those are the Wilson XVX and retail for around $300K USD.

Already sold?!

Try it both ways, but the DAC should be first. Start upstream, especially with digital sources.

If you have robust high quality power socket, no, this is not an issue.

Right - to be fair, I had the BHSE paired with another DAC, so I didn’t do a proper comparison of just the headphone amps.

Do I prefer the Stellia or the ZMF VC? They are different, and both excellent! As mentioned by others in this forum, the Stellia have a bit better detail - violins and vocals for example sound a little more natural. The VC have a wider soundstage, more low end, and are generally more “fun” and...

I use the Tube DAC with Focal Stellia and a DoubleHelix Prion4 and ZMF Verite Closed and their silver cable. Both sound great! I also have a BHSE + Stax SR009, although I haven't listened to it in years :triportsad:, so I can't compare properly. But I think the Nagra blows away the BHSE - I've...

The Nagra Tube DAC is phenomenal, and is an all in out solution (DAC / pre-amp / headphone amp). I have it connected directly a Roon node MacBook Pro.

I wouldn’t touch those, that’s why they’re not in the manual. I don’t have the HD DAC but perhaps someone else here can take a photo of how there’s is setup.

Right, charging the caps is not the same as a warm-up time. I think you just confirmed that for the DAC X the power supply is not kept on all the time, or the charging message would not appear.

I would shut down the Classic PSU when not in use. The super caps don’t need a warm up time. All caps have a lifespan, and I don’t imagine they will be cheap to replace. However, I’m curious if the two chassis DAC X or the preamp keeps the PSU on all the time?

It's too early to compare, as I want to break in the VCs for at least 200 hours first. But, right off the bat I noticed that the VCs have a wider and more 3D soundstage, convey a greater sense of "being there", i.e., at a live concert. The Stellia seem a bit more detailed, perhaps analytical...

I highly recommend begging/borrowing/stealing the funds for a NAGRA Tube DAC. I've never head a DAC sound like vinyl (I know, I know, it's a cliché by now...). My poor bank account! They do come up on the pre-owned market from time to time. I have seen an almost new one sell for about USD15K...

I'm not getting great sound isolation. Should I bend the band around my head more? I have an average sized, round head ;)

Thanks for letting me know! Glad it wasn’t more revealing ;)