Bel Canto Dac 3

Alun, if you are willing to experiment, try different digital cables on DAC3. I don't know how DAC3 reacts to digital cables, but when I had my DAC2, it sounded amazing with Virtual Dynamics NiteII and later (a much bigger leap forward) with Virtual Dynamics Master coax cables. I know they are crazy expensive, but when I linked the dac and transport with these, I couldn't go back. And as I remember, DAC2 sounded great with Audience powerChord on it. Stock cord doesn't cut it there. A nice aftermarket power cord will make the dac sound smoother.
I heard DAC3 several times but not next to DAC2, so not sure of improvements.

Thanks Audphile1 for the cable info but I've returned the DAC3 to the dealer for now. I'm still awaiting the newer Bel Canto CD player to audition.
I still feel a little guilty for my first post because I feel in the right system the DAC3 offers excellent value due to it's variety of inputs, volume control capability and ultimately sound quality.

I hope its closer to 2 g instead of 2.5,that would certainly be nice on my cash flow,.I know you cant have everything at those prices,but its nice to hope for.

I'm a little curious as to why they wouldn't make just a transport to go with the Dac, rather than a cd player.

Another option to try might be the Grace Audio M902.
http://www.gracedesign.com/products/m902/m902.htm
I am happy with my Lavry and had to cut the cost of my system at some point but next time around this might be the one I'll go for.

Regarding cables, there is a lot of debate as to how much of a difference they make. Recently I changed my speaker cables and it's made a massive change. My amp was lifeless before but there is only so much trial and error we can do otherwise it becomes a costly habit.