need advice on source

Well, I think this is supposed to be a secret (but I wasn't sworn to secrecy) and I can't really comment from actual listening experience because my unit hasn't yet arrived, but a musical instrument company called Applied Research and Technology makes a low-priced tube processor, the ART DI/O, that decodes at data rates up to 24/96, uses a 12AX7 tube, and features dialable "tube warmth". The list price is $249.95.

The unit does not upsample, but is reported to sound great, besting many DACs at much higher prices. My D/IO is in transit and I hope to receive it sometime late this week. For the price, it seems like a real no-brainer and the adjustable "tube-warmth" feature is just too cool for words. One metro-area audio society is having a meeting to demonstrate the little upstart and has challenged its members to bring their favorite heavy-hitters for comparison. The whole scenario is most intriguing, and I can't wait to see how it unfolds. I would think it would partner quite well with the DV333. http://www.artroch.com/ :)

That looks pretty neat Plato. I'd like to know how a profesional product like that stacks up against audiophile gear, with it's sometimes heavy style over substance aspect.

This is interesting -- my ART D/IO arrived today and all was not as I had previously thought. For one thing, there are no RCA analog outputs. The analog outs are on standard 1/4" jacks, the type used on guitar amps, so 1/4" to RCA converter jacks (available from Radio Shack) must be used. I'm going to look into installing RCA jacks in my unit in lieu of the stock jacks. That would be a lot more direct, eliminating the extra connection interface.

Another thing that threw me -- it seems that the 12AX7 tube, and variable tube warmth and input level pots are all on the A to D side (not D to A as I had thought) so in effect, the tube and tube warmth features are not used in the audio playback loop.

Despite my misconceptions, word is that the piece is still a bang for the buck champ (even going through cheap output adaptors). I have some plans to use mine with a better power supply and in conjunction with the Perpetual Technologies P-1A. I can then A/B it directly to my ModWright/Perpetual P-3A in the same system, just by switching the inputs. It should make for an interesting experiment. I may post some further impressions once I have a chance to do some critical listening. Sorry that my earlier post was misleading. Happy Experimenting!