greetings everyone. just wanted to weigh in with my results. i'm using the d3 with the coax SPDIF output from my computer, asus maximus formula motherboard with supreme fx2 soundcard. it sounds wonderful. actually it sounds too good. it truly shows up any flaws in the encoding of mp3/compressed audio formats, but nonetheless extracts all the source has to offer. it was mentioned earlier that the volume out of this dac is quite high, and i can confirm that, which will necessitate lowering the volume on any amp a bit more than without the d3, but on the other hand the output from the 3.5mm jacks on the soundcard is teeny to begin with. so the d3 gives you a voltage more like typical audio equipment, as i see it.
my only issue with the setup is that in my output options in the computer's configuration interface (soundmax software and drivers), i only have options for 16 bit word length. from 44.1k thru 192k. 24 bit simply does not show up in the SPDIF list. so my guess is that this is a limitation of the SPDIF output portion of the soundcard itself. if i do NOT use the d3, the interface DOES include the 24 bit options for output via the typical 3.5mm jacks. foobar 2000 gives me the option of choosing 24 bit output if i choose WASAPI via SPDIF, but will give me an error if i try to open any file or url. so, again, i see this as a limitation of the supreme fx2/soundmax subsystem.
if anyone has a similar situation with regards the 24 bit output to the d3 from a computer, please holla! i'm itching to try it out
otherwise, bottom line.... do not hesitate to buy one of these. 28 dollars shipped via amazon when i got mine. arrived insanely fast too. it's an 800lb gorilla disguised as a marmoset lol.
~carl