[antonyfirst]

Hey Chris

The thing is that I have no evidence that the X and the A846 will sound different, although some say so, because in theory they use the same digital amp.... and if I rexall correctly, a digital amp first amplifies the digital signal, then it converts it to analogue as final stage, so it works as both amp and dac... so why should things be different? I am sincerely asking

Btw thanks for the kind words, I have never abandoned audio but I had lost touch from headfi for the most part for more than one year!!

Cheers
Tony

 

[Duncan]

Quote:

The new Sony NWZ-A866 should fit the bill.

Sorry, no - I have the A865 (same as the 866, but only 16GB) and it is considerably brigher / more digital sounding than the older X series...  I have yet to hear any DAP that sounds more analogue than the X1000 (at least out of the Sony stable)...
 

 

[cn11]

Quote:

Hey Chris
The thing is that I have no evidence that the X and the A846 will sound different, although some say so, because in theory they use the same digital amp.... and if I rexall correctly, a digital amp first amplifies the digital signal, then it converts it to analogue as final stage, so it works as both amp and dac... so why should things be different? I am sincerely asking
Btw thanks for the kind words, I have never abandoned audio but I had lost touch from headfi for the most part for more than one year!!
Cheers
Tony

Hey Tony--
 
I figured you'd never lose touch with audio... once you're hooked, there's no going back! 
 
I wish I could answer your concerns more technically. I haven't heard the A846, so can't comment personally. I've read the same things that there is a small difference between the X and the A846, with the latter being a little brighter. No facts to support that though!
 
Good luck with your search. Look forward to seeing what you decide on.