PS Audio DL III or CI Audio VDA-2

[V-DiV]

I'm on the verge of buying a DAC to go between my Squeezebox III and VHP-2. Which one will be best to help bring classical, jazz, and blues to my K701s? Thanks.

 

[V-DiV]

Never mind! I just read (is it true?) that they are making the DL III in China now. So, I'll pay Rusty V. to build my DAC here in the U.S.

 

[V-DiV]

I guess I'm just talking to myself here, but if anybody's listening, I just ordered a Channel Islands Audio VDA-2 DAC and VAC-1 upgrade Power Supply.

 

[V-DiV]

So which is the preferred digital cable, coax or optical?

I know, I know, use the search function... But if anyone has a quick answer?

 

[Sherwood]

Generally coax is preferred, unless you're using your computer as source, in which case optical helps isolate you from power line noise.

 

[V-DiV]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherwood /img/forum/go_quote.gif Generally coax is preferred, unless you're using your computer as source, in which case optical helps isolate you from power line noise.

Thanks, I ordered a coax from Blue Jeans. And I cooked my family's traditional New Years Eve lobster dinner to boot.

Happy New Year Everybody!

 

[mrarroyo]

Enjoy your new dac, it is a beauty. Do hope you post pictures and impressions.

 

[V-DiV]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Enjoy your new dac, it is a beauty. Do hope you post pictures and impressions.

Thanks. Will do.

 

[USAudio]

Just noticed this thread..

This is scary, you have almost the identical setup I do and bought your equipment for much the same reasons;

SB3 > VDA2/VAC1 > VHP2/VAC1 > HD650

I tried the DLIII for awhile but sent it back as I thought the VDA-2 sounded as good or better AND as you stated, the DLIII is made in China now...

I also use BlueJeans cables but I use their optical cable between my SB3 and VDA-2 as I couldn't hear any SQ difference between the optical and coax and I wanted to isolate by VDA-2 from my SB3 and its switching power supply...

Enjoy!

 

[MikeW]

why all the hate for china, american's have priced themselves out of the market. anyway, as a previous owner of the vda-2, I loved it, and im sure you will too, it's a great dac, with alot of texture, and prat.

 

[USAudio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeW /img/forum/go_quote.gif why all the hate for china, american's have priced themselves out of the market. anyway, as a previous owner of the vda-2, I loved it, and im sure you will too, it's a great dac, with alot of texture, and prat.

Hate? No one said they have a hate for china, that's a misinterpretation of what was said.
But as an American and given our HUGE trade deficit and it's long-term implications, I always make an effort to buy American first. I found exactly what I wanted at reasonable prices and made in U.S.A. by an American company. Those profits stay here.
BTW, Americans haven't "priced themselves out of the market", it's a simple matter of Chinese lower-cost wages and cost of living, relaxed environmental standards and yet they do make some quality products as well.

FTD - Statistics - Country Data - U.S. Trade Balance with China

 

[VicAjax]

i have the PS Audio DLIII, and it's a wonderful, well made product. it was designed and engineered in the US, and the modifications were made by an American in a US facility, and I couldn't be happier.

my goal is to buy the best quality product at the best price.

 

[USAudio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VicAjax /img/forum/go_quote.gif i have the PS Audio DLIII, and it's a wonderful, well made product. it was designed and engineered in the US, and the modifications were made by an American in a US facility, and I couldn't be happier. my goal is to buy the best quality product at the best price.

AND the profits stay here, that does make a difference, good job.
No one is saying we shouldn't ever buy foreign-made products by foreign-owned companies but only that you should at least make an effort to find a product you can be happy with that is made by a hometeam company. It DOES make a difference, no matter how small.

 

[MikeW]

It's not only audio that we've priced ourselves out of the market with, but almost everything, how can GM for example, compete with Toyota, when GM's got that stupid union paying guy's 70$ an hour to install windshield wipers, why do you think Toyota/Honda products are so much better.. this is the sad state of most American made products. Union's, and increased minimum wage, high-pay for what should be low paying jobs, in America, poor people live like kings.

Anyone who needs to make more then Minimum wage, should be able to find a job making more then minimum wage, they are not hard to find, even a grocery store cashier makes quite a bit more then minimum wage, the only thing that benefit's is the High school students, so now instead of working 20 hours to make 150$, they can work 15 hours, so they have more time to do productive things, like make babies and get high.

Disclaimer: I drive a POS GM, "American" made car, though im sure half the parts (plastic and seat cushions, etc) came from china, I also work 80 hours a week, and wish I had a problem like "a full time job" (40 hrs a week) although, i guess i should not bitch, the little boy who made my amp, only makes 40c an hour and he's glad to do it, probably 100 hours a week.

 

[VicAjax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeW /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's not only audio that we've priced ourselves out of the market with, but almost everything, how can GM for example, compete with Toyota, when GM's got that stupid union paying guy's 70$ an hour to install windshield wipers, why do you think Toyota/Honda products are so much better.. this is the sad state of most American made products. Union's, and increased minimum wage, high-pay for what should be low paying jobs, in America, poor people live like kings.

many of the Toyotas, Hondas, BMWs et al that are driven on American roads are built in American factories. these companies don't have a problem building high-quality, well-designed automobiles that are manufactured in Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, etc.

American auto companies are certainly burdened by some union issues, but their biggest problem is their own: they haven't (with a few notable exceptions) figured out how to design and build cars that Americans actually want to drive. ultimately GM, Ford and Chrysler have no one to blame but themselves.

i don't own a car; i rent. so believe me, i've driven my share of American cars over the past several years. and most of them suck. the seats are uncomfortable, the ergonomics are horrible, the engines are sluggish, the bodies are heavy, the gas mileage is pathetic. these aren't build issues (union), these are design issues. they're lazy, poorly thought out, and anti-innovative.