Why do all audio forums on the internet seem "dead" ?

I believe you coli ! As much as it would be nice to spread the word , not much worth shouting from the rooftops on this site though . I have a macmini i use ,so usb is my only connection i can used . Picked up this thing called a Duet2 by Apogee . It is a usb interface . i do not even know everything it is intended for but it works as a dac / volume controller . Absolute transparency . Every amp /speaker i use it on has limitless power/ volume attenuation . I am afraid to test the limits of volume before distortion as i know i will blow up something .And sounds better than any multi thousand preamp or dacs i have used in the past . Picked it up for $300 on craigslist . Pretty cool .

Ah, to be a fly on the wall during some of these magical sonic experiences....one person's nirvana is another's nails on a chalk board!  If we are going to pretend to have exceptional sound then please site the recordings used and describe what you are hearing in detail.

Yeah, it's pointless bashing at snake oils. It's just I'm still kinda pissed about how much money I'm going to lose on them.

The best bang for the buck is definitely used pro audio equiptments, the 5.1 system I'm building now cost a fraction of my previous stereo setup, and there is just no comparison.

Fair enough Coli. Tascam huh, have to look into that one.

I understand and I am happy that you have found an alternative mode of enjoyment.  I must warn you however, I also did what you are doing now and regretted it later.  One day I played my favorite music and it sunk in that the glorious sound I had taken for granted was gone and I began to really hear the replacement Pro stuff for what it was...great sound reinforcement!