[LarryC]

I know many of you have moved on to the Scott Nixon DacKit.  Could anyone who has also used the Monica2 compare/comment on their differences?  Do both benefit from a tube pre-amp? (those with the Sig30 need not answer that question)  I'm still pleased with the DAC in my unmodded SB3, but looking forward to that next step forward.

Thanks,
LarryC

[Dmason]

I like ALL non oversampling DAC's I have heard. All of them make more musical sense out of those little pits, than the other kind. I like the TDA1545 quite abit more than the 1543, and I like the 1541 most of all, but it requires very elaborate implementation with respect to power supply etc., whereas the other two are brought along quite easily. I own the Monica and the Nixon DACkit, and I love them both ~almost equally. I doubt this helps.

[LarryC]

Dmason,

I love them both ~almost equally. I doubt this helps.

This does help and gives me good short term direction. Monica2 (1545) should be an easy and cost effective next step in my progression. Part of the fun is the trip there and it sounds like (pun intended) it will be an enjoyable one.

Thanks,

LarryC

[Loftprojection]

I've got a TDA1545 based tube DAC, the MHDT Paradisea, and I like it quite a bit.  I just received today a fully modded SB2 from Vinnie.  Can't really say for sure but with a quick listening session the output of the SB2 is quite nice, I haven't had time to do some critical a/b listening of the SB2 direct versus SB2 to my DAC but it's definitely not going to be nigth and day.

[Dmason]

It is true, it is all about varying grades of chalk and cheese. I am not a hair-splitting audiophool, just a musician in search of the lost chord. The 1545 does this "thing" with mid-register instruments that sounds, or is interpreted by my hearing cortex, as "correct."

As an anecdote, I am cursed with perfect pitch. I find with NON OS Dac's I can hit the key signature correctly ~without fail every time, however, with the output of my DVD player, it is not quite so apparent. Just a psychoacoustic anomaly really, (or is it?) but I also wouldn't use a NON OS DAC as my only digital sense-maker. It seems complex material, really complex stuff, like Tchaikovsky No 5, or complex stuff that really smokes, like the high minded Brit Prog of the mid 70's, --the upsampling method seems to get the nod. Otherwise, most seem to find this way is actually a handicap. NON OS would be my singular choice. With tubes it makes the best sense of all. With the Signature 30, the result is sublime, and from somewhere else entirely, not at all a sound you would ever find in an audio salon. It is decidedly NON HI FI. Just the music. Just the facts.

[LarryC]

Ultimately we should be afforded the ways and means to have 2 or how about 3 systems in our abodes

I've also come to this conclusion and have observed that some on AC are already there. The options and choices are so rich and diverse I think there are multiple paths to fit many tastes and budgets. You will always have your 'main' system, but there is no reason why our other systems can't also sound fantastic. What's great is you don't need to spend much to accomplish this. In my case, my WiFi SB3 is easily moved between my living room (main system), study, bedroom, kitchen, and outside deck. For $250 I have remote control access to 10,000 tracks from 5 locations.  It would be more convenient to have multible SB3's and I hope to add more when the budget allows, but it works wonderfully now. Add to that the different flavor of DACS, Amps, and Speakers between the listening locations and you have a delicious mix of listening enjoyment. This is a wonderful time for audio! 

LarryC

[miklorsmith]

I own a Monica-2 and had a 3-hour episode with a SN with upgraded power supply.  I preferred the Monica, as did the SN owner.  Then, Chris Own of Ack! fame actually swung a dAck 2.0 by the house.  Despite my determination to expel it, I did not.  For my taste, it's easily the best of these three.  It's more extended on top, solid in the bottom, and does not trade away the beguiling liquidity endemic to the breed.

All that said, I've got my eyes on an Altmann. . .If I could just swing a little more liquidity.