The DAC is my next thing to “fix”. I think adding a tube DAC would help and I’m torn between the Border Patrol, which seems to be more in the vein of warm analog sound, and the MHDT Orchid which seems to have a little less but still good. Need to get one in my system but neither offers a really good in-home trial.
I’m using the Parasound ZDAC which won’t win any awards but it’s been a good workhorse for about five years now. Nothing really to complain about but not a lot to fall in love with.
I’m also CRAZY tempted by the Ultralinear but just couldn’t justify the expense. I’ve asked the LTA folks a lot of questions about it and how it compares with the Z10 and their comparisons don’t give me the sense that it will be warmer or more smooth but just that it’s more refined, which is hard to translate into how it will actually sound different. If you’ve got the dough, try the Ultralinear and see what all the fuss is about.
I’m using the Parasound ZDAC which won’t win any awards but it’s been a good workhorse for about five years now. Nothing really to complain about but not a lot to fall in love with.
I’m also CRAZY tempted by the Ultralinear but just couldn’t justify the expense. I’ve asked the LTA folks a lot of questions about it and how it compares with the Z10 and their comparisons don’t give me the sense that it will be warmer or more smooth but just that it’s more refined, which is hard to translate into how it will actually sound different. If you’ve got the dough, try the Ultralinear and see what all the fuss is about.