Anybody try the new Heaven 11 Billie Mk 2?

@tubeguy76 I’d be curious to hear, also.

Even if you do like the Billie, the question for me would then redound to other factors to compare with other contenders:

How long has the company been in business? 

How is their service for units which need a fix?

What do used units sell for?

How do they pair with other things? (E.g. Is the Billie’s preamp good enough that if you wanted the a different amp, you’d stick with the Billie as a preamp only?)

These were all factors which (a) pushed me away from the Billie and (b) toward separates.

I am so glad I have a Pass XA 25 for all the reasons above -- company reputation and service, used market value, flexibility as a single function device, and pair-ability with other components.

@tubeguy76 if you look on Steve Huff’s website he is selling his Billie for $1,400 which makes it a pretty compelling value if you really are leaning that direction. A friend emailed me that, besides listing his Billie for sale, Mr. Huff has also listed his DCS Lina Dac for sale.

@ghasley 

Tempting as that Billie for $1400 is a great deal.

Interesting that he put the Lina on sale, I know he just got the TA200 that people rave about a lot. It really must be that good to kick out the Lina.

@samureyex I’m not sure I would draw any conclusions whatsoever from Mr. Huff’s gear swaps.

Like many of us, I enjoy his reviews/videos but there will always be something new on the horizon. Once again, his credibility would be well served to avoid the last bit of hyperbole in his reviews where he often states “this is my forever thing” because the next forever thing will materialize a short time later. He has carved out a cool niche, one that many of us would be pleased to occupy, where he frequently gets to try new things.

That’s why I appreciate Lavorgna(Twittering Machines), Reichert(Stereophile), the late Art Dudley, some of the Audiophiliac reviews but Lavorgna and Reichert though lay out what they are hearing and how it might apply to the reader. Mr. Huff is gathering an audience but it would serve him well to evolve away from “its so good I bought it and its my new reference” reviews because weeks/months later its for sale. He doesn’t owe any of us any more transparency but it sure begs the question is he buying low and selling high.