[R-A-W]

Steve,

What would you recommend.
I have your Offramp I2S with fully modded Benchmark DAC1.
Would you recommend the HotRod or a OR5 in combination with the DAC1.

Roger

[audioengr]

Steve,

What would you recommend.
I have your Offramp I2S with fully modded Benchmark DAC1.
Would you recommend the HotRod or a OR5 in combination with the DAC1.

Roger

I could sell you an OR5, but the Hot Rod will probably be better than the modded DAC1.

You will have a big wait though.

Steve N.

[R-A-W]

For those that don't subscribe to TAS, the review of the Peachtree iDAC in the July/August issue is very interesting.

http://www.avguide.com/review/peachtree-audio-idac-tas-214

Steven Stone concludes that the digital source is actually more important than the DAC itself.  When the iDAC and the W4S DAC's were driven with his Off-Ramp 4, not only did they each sound a lot better, they sounded almost identical.  No surprise to me

This is all the more reason to invest in a really good digital source, with the best clock you can get.  Anyone know where to get one of those?

Steve N.

Steve,

If the source is that important would the turboclock not be an essential upgrade option, to beat the OR5/fully modded DAC1 combo?

I doubt it.  I dont think it will fit anyway...

Steve N.

Is the HotRod enclosure already defined in this stage?

Roger

[audioengr]

Steve,

If the source is that important would the turboclock not be an essential upgrade option, to beat the OR5/fully modded DAC1 combo?

I think it will still beat it, based on my results with the Synchro-Mesh.

Is the HotRod enclosure already defined in this stage?

Not yet.  I have new panels in fabrication for the Overdrive and I was thinking that I need something similar for the Hot-Rod.  To get that that low price level, I still need to use an off-the-shelf chassis, but the front and back panels are custom.

Steve N.

[adhesiv]

How close are we to more info on the Hot Rod DAC? I've been contemplating a pace car for my Transporter>Metrum Octave combo or trying out the Hot Rod DAC to replace the Metrum.

[audioengr]

How close are we to more info on the Hot Rod DAC? I've been contemplating a pace car for my Transporter>Metrum Octave combo or trying out the Hot Rod DAC to replace the Metrum.

Not very close I'm afraid.  First I need to get the transformer buffer stage "Final Drive" completed and into production.  Second, there is a growing need for a Linux compatible USB interface, so I may be forced to work on this first.

It is a fall/winter project I think.

In the meantime, you could use a Synchro-Mesh for $599.00.

Steve N.