Dan, i've listened to your modded Oppo 105d years ago and was blown away, but i couldn't afford it at the time and recently as a few weeks ago had a chance to demo it again at a great price including some great tubes, but i ultimately passed given its age and lack of 4kHDR which leaves it as a standalone DAC for my computer based source-no CDs-all digital. I have always used my HTPC to play or stream music, but as it gets older, and the HTPC heats up when i convert to DSD, i wonder if its time for a streamer that can be my dedicated all in one situation and still be a dedicated DAC for my HTPC while it keeps ticking.
While i am one of those weirdos who likes his entire system aesthetically matched and would prefer a McIntosh DAC tube modded by you, i understand you don't do one off work given your busy schedule and i am very intrigued by this Cambridge mod(Does it come in black?).
-Have you compared it as a stand alone DAC compared to others in the same price range?
-My first experience with the Oppo 105d Mod was my first experience with tubes. As mentioned, i was blown away. This 2nd time around, demo'd directly after a hybrid Pathos integrated, the Oppo with solid state Mac had a very clean sound, but i didn't get that lush or bloom sound i like with tubes and was getting with tubes in the pre of the Pathos. Is this Cambridge DAC also steering away from typical "old" Tube sound description traits? Hope that makes sense.
Thanks