[tvyankee]

hello

the dac uses the AKM dac and the new version signature dac uses it as well and is full balanced. i don't know if the last poster listened to the latest version of the stello dac but it is a much better dac then the old one but that is just my 2pennies.

thanks

[geowak]

My two cents..

I bought a Benchmark DAC USB1, which is sold as a USB option to the DAC-1 (pre-amp). It came out before the preamp version and does not have multiple inputs. It has been the BEST audio piece I have ever purchased. I cannot wait to use it as a straight preamp with a new amp I just ordered. It bested my Odyssey Candela, which is a well respected tube preamp.

[Muser]

For tvyankee:
I did not hear the most recent Stello DAC. I am unsure how to distinguish the two models, by year or model or truly any other way. My impression of the digital market is that it is really accelerating in quality, dramatically so. I'm truly amazed. These days writing reviews is harder and harder because there are so many good products if not enchanting ones. When there was a mix of "crap" and quality, reviewing was easier. That is background to saying, perhaps the new Stellos are truly ahead of what they produced a few years ago, but I have no experience with their current offerings.
Larry