Bel Canto Dac 3

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.

The DAC3 is an incredibly great piece. My friend & I compared it to his $7000 Ayre, and it was a close race. We used a Pioneer as a transport for the DAC3 in the comparison. It's also a beautiful piece with very thick casing and faceplate.

It also sounds quite dynamic and has powerful bass used without a preamp, which may make this a piece for those wanting not to invest in a preamp. Still, to my ears, I find an active line stage gives even more dynamics and larger, more fleshed out instrumental timbres. The large power supply in the DAC3, and its unique digital volume control must be responsible for this. It is the first piece I have used direct that doesn't have: (a) a collapsed soundstage, (b) substantially limited dynamics, (c) rolled off treble, (d) weak, undynamic, & unextended bass.

The digital volume control with 200 steps in 0.5 db increments is a joy to use. The remote, although small and cheap, works fine, and controls volume, input, mute, and standby. Do be wary of static, however. Mine has shut down from touching it when the air is very dry from heating season, but it must have some type of protection circuit. All I had to do is unplug it, plug it back in, and everything's fine...

Kevziek,
In your earlier post, you have mentioned you preferred the Benchmark DAC-1 over the Bel Canto DAC2. How would you compare the Benchmark with the Bel Canto DAC3? How do you characterize the sonics of the Bel Canto DAC3? I am leaning more towards detail, slam and dynamics rather than sweet and mellow kind of sound. My initial plan was to get a Theta Gen Va or to a lesser extent the Benchmark DAC-1 but was thinking a lot on getting a DAC with a built-in pre so that I could eliminate an extra component in the chain. Your favourable comments on the positive attributes of the Bel Canto DAC3's preamp section are a plus side for me.

Any opinions from others would be most appreciated.