USB DAC's ?

If you want to continue to use the DCC2 as a DAC, then for the very best possible sound, consider something like this:

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/frComputer_Audio.html#USB%20Off-Ramp

The HagUSB is quite a bit cheaper, but the Empirical Audio product is a premium product. I have not personally auditioned either.

Oh, silly me. In my last response, I forgot about the original post. Sigh. Your original suggestion of the Off-Ramp is a good one.

As for the Benchmark, I do not like the Benchmark sound.

If you're open to using the analog inputs of the DCC2, consider the Red Wine Audio Isabellina, as it is an excellent, dynamic, NOS USB DAC.

I am using a Mac Mini, LaCie Hard Drives into an Epirical Audio I2S Off-ramp, Empirical Turbomod Benchmark DAC1 with op amp upgrades.

The Empirical Audio modded DAC1 is a completely different beast from the unmodded DAC. Vocals are smooth. There is no harshness or reading of brightness. Tone colors are more true and bass to treble transparency greater. No comparison, but also multiple times the cost of the original DAC1.

I can recommend the off-ramp without hesitation. And, I am tremendously happy with the modded DAC.

Dan - I am stopping mods to the DAC-1 soon in favor of my own Overdrive USB DAC/PRE. Unless he can buy one used on Audiogon, they will not be available much longer. Customers have been bugging me for years to do my own stuff, so this is what I'm doing. It's better anyway because I can get away from the soldering iron and do more design this way. Also, the Off-Ramp Turbo 2 and Off-Ramp I2S just got replaced with one product, the Off-Ramp 3.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

What are the differences between the new Off-Ramp 3 and Off-Ramp Turbo 2?

How much is the Off-Ramp 3?

Thanks
Chai