I continue to trumpet the virtues of the least costly digital IC which comes with unique, hand-crafted, RCA jacks: Audiogon member Joemazzaglia builds the Auricle Audio Design Encore Signature digital IC.
In two of my system's a pair are on both the input and the output side of the Genesis Digital Lens.
Having listened through a multitude of digital IC combinations with the Digital Lens, these have proven to be the best for the least.
Interestingly, these have been my first digital IC adding zero input jitter on the Digital Lens readout, because a customized CD transport is capable of sending a jitter-free signal which Joe's design leaves alone. Other brands had added their own jitter, in the past. Although digital IC can sound great, even with jitter, still it has been fun to see this technological achievement in a great sounding digital IC.
Asking which digital IC is best cannot yield a single answer, or even a consensus, because I have heard so many wonderful systems, each with its own sound. But, if you want to hear all that your digital components are capable of extracting from those spinning discs, without having to make a big investment, well worth the modest cost.
I got mine on auction, as an early adopter bargain, so you would have to check with the maker about current price.
