[Loftprojection]

I know, my title probably has everybody dropping their pants down but no, this thread is not a review of Isabella! 

To Vinnie, most probably Srajan and others, here is my wish list I would really love to have feedback on when this new marvel from Vinnie finally becomes available.

I think most enthusiast here who are patiently waiting for Isabella to make its debut already have either a pretty good CDP or like me are into computer audio using a modded Squeezebox, an Imod or a USB fed DAC. 

So the big question for us when Isabella arrives will be; is it worth it to pay for the USB DAC option in the Isabella or should I buy it only as a pre-amp?  Will the USB DAC sound as good as my modded SB or my Imod or my current USB DAC?

I know there are going to be hundreds more questions but I think the ONE big advantage for Isabella will be to have a full "off the grid" system which means using the internal DAC fed by a computer.  Wouldn't it be nice if Srajan came up with 5-6 common and very popular DACs to put up against Isabella feeding a Sig amp!  Ho well, Christmas is approaching, dreams sometimes become reality at this time of the year!   

Cheers.

[Zero]

Thats not too shabby of an idea..   

[ZLS]

    It all depends on the quality of the DAC doesn't it?  Based on my experience with RWA products dating from 2005, I would be very surprised if Vinnie Rossi did not come out with an exceptional sounding DAC.  The fun is that we will soon know.  IMHO battery power will be a real plus for a DAC. 

[Vinnie R.]

So the big question for us when Isabella arrives will be; is it worth it to pay for the USB DAC option in the Isabella or should I buy it only as a pre-amp?  Will the USB DAC sound as good as my modded SB or my Imod or my current USB DAC?

I know there are going to be hundreds more questions but I think the ONE big advantage for Isabella will be to have a full "off the grid" system which means using the internal DAC fed by a computer.  Wouldn't it be nice if Srajan came up with 5-6 common and very popular DACs to put up against Isabella feeding a Sig amp!  Ho well, Christmas is approaching, dreams sometimes become reality at this time of the year!   

Cheers.

Hi LP,

The dac section of the Isabella will clearly be my best sounding source... easily outperforming the iMod, the analog section of the modded Olive, the modded SB3, etc. 

I need to run this by Srajan, but it would be fantastic if I can send him an Isabella without the internal dac for review, and also send him the the separate dac (which will also be sold as a stand-alone product in 2008... name to be determined).  I probably won't have the production-mode enclosure for the dac, but it will certainly "do its thang" for the review!     This way, he can review the dac against other dacs at and above its pricepoint, and also review the Isabella preamp against other preamps at and above its pricepoint. 

I will have to talk to Srajan about this and see if this is something that he would be interested in.  He is already involved with the Signature 30.2, and this will be followed by the Isabella and the Sig 70.2s.... This is a lot of work and I am VERY greatful for his interest and efforts and I don't want him to feel pushed into doing this in any way, so we'll see...

Thanks for posting!

Vinnie

[stlblue]

Hi Vinnie:

Just curious what speakers you are using as a reference for your R&D for all the new products. Thanks.

[slwiser]

It is never a good ideal to let someone review a beta version.  Something seems to always go wrong with those.

[Vinnie R.]

Hi Vinnie:

Just curious what speakers you are using as a reference for your R&D for all the new products. Thanks.

Hi stlblue,

I am currently using the new DeVore Fidelity Nines:
http://www.devorefidelity.com/gibbons.html

It is never a good ideal to let someone review a beta version.  Something seems to always go wrong with those.

Good point... I need to think this over carefully.

Best regards,

Vinnie

[Srajan Ebaen]

I'm game, pile up the work 

Thing is, I don't really have any affordable DACs on hand. My personal thrust has been on integrated CDPs since the send/receive S/PDIF interface introduces its own ills which then need to be fought again with money and design tricks. Plus, a lower box count has its own advantages and appeal.

And the $20,000+ Zanden DAC in this context doesn't count. Everything else I have digital-wise is one-box only. So while the idea is compelling, I might be the wrong guy...

[Loftprojection]

I'm game, pile up the work 

Thing is, I don't really have any affordable DACs on hand. My personal thrust has been on integrated CDPs since the send/receive S/PDIF interface introduces its own ills which then need to be fought again with money and design tricks. Plus, a lower box count has its own advantages and appeal.

And the $20,000+ Zanden DAC in this context doesn't count. Everything else I have digital-wise is one-box only. So while the idea is compelling, I might be the wrong guy...

Srajan, where do you live?  I have a $500 highly acclaimed MHDT Paradisea tube DAC that I might be willing to send you for a few weeks if that would help bring up a nice review.

[Srajan Ebaen]

Uh - Republic of Cyprus, EU, imposes VAT, shipping is expensive. Generous offer but I think I might want to decline for your sake 

What I *would* do is compare the Isabella DAC against things like the Opera Audio Linear player, the Raysonic 128 and 168. If it keeps up or makes those players sound better, then we have some milestones for reference. I also have the $10,000 Ancient Audio Lektor IV which sports a digital output. I'd not think the Isabella beats that but who knows - it's a mano-a-macho I can make happen.

[Loftprojection]

Uh - Republic of Cyprus, EU, imposes VAT, shipping is expensive. Generous offer but I think I might want to decline for your sake 

Hiii, ok, I think I'll remove my offer!    If it was only for shipping it shouldn't be so bad because the Paradisea is very small and light but this EU tax might be a bit more problematic, specially since I might have to pay it again coming back to Canada!

[Vinnie R.]

Uh - Republic of Cyprus, EU, imposes VAT, shipping is expensive. Generous offer but I think I might want to decline for your sake 

What I *would* do is compare the Isabella DAC against things like the Opera Audio Linear player, the Raysonic 128 and 168. If it keeps up or makes those players sound better, then we have some milestones for reference. I also have the $10,000 Ancient Audio Lektor IV which sports a digital output. I'd not think the Isabella beats that but who knows - it's a mano-a-macho I can make happen.

All,

I contacted Srajan regarding upcoming reviews.  Before doing so, I thought this over carefully and decided what I believe would be the best path to take: 

I will be sending Srajan the Isabella without built-in dac (when the Isabella is in production mode)  I am shooting to make this happen in early 2008 and the Isabella without the built-in dac will most likely be available first, followed by the Isabella with internal dac option.  As I mentioned earlier, the internal dac (with USB, coax and optical inputs) is going to perform on a much higher level than any other source that I have worked on, and will be very competitive with stand-alone dacs costing much, much more.  Achieving this is going to take a little longer and I don't want to "serve the wine before it's time."   

I decided that I really want Srajan to focus on the Isabella as an SLA battery powered tubed preamp, and I would like him to test the Isabella paired up with the Signature 30.2, as well as various other power amps (tubed and solid state) that he has time and inclination to try out.  As I'm sure that everyone here would agree, Srajan's reviews are very in-depth.  Between the Signature 30.2 review that is in progress and the upcoming Isabella review, this is a LOT of work!  While he has graciously accepted to take on more, I rather Srajan's efforts be concentrated to these two core products. 

As for the Signature 70.2s, you may have already read Mike Smith's review on 6moons that has just been added and it is a dynamite review!   He comments on how his upgraded Sig 70s (which contain the partial upgrades... the ones the convert the sonic performance to that of the 70.2) compares to the 70s that he used to own.  Many thanks to miklorsmith!

I have also been contacted by other reviewers who are very interested in the new RWA products and I'm sure we'll get other reviews cooking for 2008  

Thanks for all your interest and support!

Vinnie

[pbrstreetgang]

I dont know if its been said but what is the ballpark cost on the Isabella and NOS dac?

[Vinnie R.]

I dont know if its been said but what is the ballpark cost on the Isabella and NOS dac?

Hi pbrstreetgang,

Finally pricing is still being worked out and should be posted by the end of this month.

Best regards,

Vinnie