[buckeyefanandy]

I have been looking for a DAC for an all digital solid state rig.  This is my first real attempt into the HiFi market after college.  My budget has been tight, but I have been able to get together a nice system, ( By my standards), but am in need of a CD player or Dac to get things headed in the right direction.  

I run Odyssey Mono amps and preamp with a pioneer dv 578a (for now) to a pair of Apogee C Minors.  

My question is if the Omega III dac should help out the pioneer if used as a transport or if I need to look for something newer.  If the Omega III is upgradeable or should I just look for a one box cdp.

I have not had any experience with the AVA products, but based on reputation alone and the fair price the dac is being offered for I am willing to risk this without listening first.  Thanks for your help.

andy

[avahifi]

I guess it is OK for me to point out that we got a "Golden Ear" award a couple of years ago in The Absolute Sound for the solid state DAC you are interested in, with comments, among other things, that it eliminated digital grain.  We also have a new review of our more expensive hybrid DAC in the newest #162 issue of TAS.

Frank Van Alstine

[boead]

There is one at Audiogon for $150

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1151856157

[Zheeeem]

I used an Omega 3 for about 7-8 years and was exceedingly happy with it.  In fact, it changed my complete perspective about CDs and CDPs.  I would now rate a DAC as one of the most important system components.  I personally would not get an all-singing, all-dancing CDP because such an approach does not allow upgrading separately (and I figure the mechanical elements of a CDP are likely to fail well before the electronics in a DAC).  Plus I reckon the AVA DAC is one of (or THE) best around.

I upgraded my Omega to Ultra.  But even so, I loved the Omega right up to the end.