[celo]

I would like to share a blind test I did with my wife. Source is Macbook Pro via iTunes. Headphones are Grado 60. Same song samples. 16/44, 24/96 & 24/192

We both listened the songs 3 rounds, total of 9 times.

After the first round. She picked the 24/96 as being the best for her taste. She thought it was obvious that 24/96 was the best sounding.

The second round, she picked the 24/96 again being the best.

Third round she immediately said she did not like the 24/192 as soon as she heard it. She liked the 16/44 the best in the last round, 24/96 the second.

In the first round, I liked the 16/44 the best. In the second round, I picked the 16/44 again being the best.

In the third round I liked 24/192 the best, 16/44 second.

I could not tell the difference too much but she could. I guess she has more sensitive ears.

After all, she definitely likes the 24/96 the best and I like the 16/44 the best.

Go figure.

[ThuanDB]

Squeezebox Touch is an excellent device, its mentioned every year as one of the best streaming audio devices by many audio/audiophile publications. I enjoy mine everyday.....

1+

[I.Greyhound Fan]

If you want smooth and non digital try a PS Audio Digilink III.  You can pick them up used for a good price.  I own a GF DAC-11 and I would not call it warm or smooth.  While it is a great buy and sounds very good, it is not the most detailed or smoothest DAC.  The SS section is harsh and the tube buffer section sounds much better but definitely not very tube like.

[celo]

I did not purchase any of my choices but went with wushuliu's recommendation. Its price made it an easy choice as well as the French guy seems like he knows what he is doing. I received mine today and I could not believe my eyes. This thing is TINY. Its length is shorter than a credit card! I do not know how can this thing sound that good (one guys says it is better than his Cambridge DAC Magic!). I will test it this weekend.

I got mine for $90 shipped!

[MichaelHiFi]

I have the same dilemma one - which one?

I've owned and listened to a few starting with my former Classe DAC 1 which served me well. Then I got a Squeezebox 3 and modded it, then a Transporter, then a Neko then a XXX.   

I currently have a modded Oppo BDP83SE and a BDP 95. After some major research on the web, just trying to get a handle on the thoughts of others regarding the sound of certain DAC's my thinking now wants to go the Audio Note route.

I've listened to EE's which bested my Oppo slightly and hope to audition a Tranquility SE this weekend.

Still that Audio Note kit 3.1 allows a long upgrade path. is NOS, and no one has doubted the magic of those DAC's. They also don't seem to go out of vogue in a few months!

Yes they're expensive but at least you're paying for some serious hardware