[HChi]

Would you mind sharing what alternative brands does Frank recommend for the multi-source config?  Thanks.

I can offer a  for the Inday. Purchased one last fall based on recommendation of a friend who'd had it for a couple of years. Simple unit, fairly priced, really nice folks, and has a remote. It was also one of the alternate recommendations Frank had for the multi-source config.

Am currently running optical from CD changer to one input, and optical HT audio from Pre/Processor to another, then out to Ultra DAC to T8 for 2 ch or L/R HT output.

[martyo]

Frank recommended the Inday to me.  http://www.inday.com/da4x/da4x.htm

[ArthurDent]

Buy an Insight DAC today!!  Exceptional unit either with the Insight pre or Ultra pre.  I actually preferred the Ultra pre combo.  Stopped at Frank's today and that DAC is fantastic.  Hard to tell it's solid state.

I presume this was a direct order, as opposed to a suggestion BRM. Just want to let you know I obeyed. 

Called Frank back after talking to someone 2 days ago when I order another amp & pre, and added the Insight Dac.  Now I'll have nice systems in both the office at one end of the house, and in the listening room on the other. Also means when I have time and additional funds in the future I can send my upgraded Hafler in for the Insight upgrade without being soundless. Now to work on the old TT, bring it back to life, and an old Nak Cassette deck.

But that's it guys, please don't tell me I have to buy more for a while. Two systems in just under a 1 yr is plenty  , after 20 years of being pretty much clueless and having some $, now I'm broke again. This is why I backed away from things back then.

Y'all have a good weekend, I'll be working to pay for all these new toys. At least the 15' commute isn't bad, the coffee homebrewed & strong, no fuel costs, and the tunes are whatever I feel like.  aa

[gjs_cds]

I thought this would be an interesting post-script re: my experiences w/ the Insight DAC. 

Last night I put in a CD on my old CD player (which bypasses the Insight DAC and has a direct connection to the OmegaStar SL pre-amp)... and Wow. 

Just Wow. 

Boy could I really tell the difference.  It's been about a month since I had heard a non-Insight source, and the difference was really quite striking to me.  Much more so than my initial impression.  The (non-Insight DAC) source was markedly more dull and lifeless.  Even with better recordings, I still felt it inferior.  The dynamic range was inferior; there seemed to be inferior 'crispness' relative to the transients... Just overall much less realistic, life-like, and quite un-enjoyable to listen to.  The difference was remarkable, and I was quite shocked.

As someone who (formally) didn't believe in outboard DACs, I am a complete convert.  After my ears have grown accustom to the Insight DAC, the switch back to what I used to appreciate was simply shocking.

[Wayner]

It's always great to look back at how far we have come. (and forgetting how far we have come). This is an important lesson for us all. Undo what we thought was an improvement, and if it isn't apparent, then it wasn't an improvement.

Wayner

[ArthurDent]

Would you mind sharing what alternative brands does Frank recommend for the multi-source config?  Thanks.

Apologies HChi, got sidetracked, and appears no one responded to your question. To my knowledge the Inday is the only mutli-source unit he notes. Since I had 2nd hand experience to draw on haven't searched further. Have been happy enough to buy a second one.

Just Wow. 

Second that. 

On receipt of my unit I hooked it into the office system {Outlaw RR2150, Sony 300 disk changer}, 1st play was Tschaikowsy Symp #6, a fairly dynamic ditty, with ups & downs. At one point I actually heard the Bassoon player stand out. I've had this disk for many years, listened uncounted times, and had never heard that clarity. Obviously it was always there, but no matter what you want to attribute it to, Frank's DACs bring something extra to the party. And that is not to say that any number of others may not, I simply have no personal experience with other stand alone units. 

And, Right On Wayner !