External DAC and Theta Casablanca II


greetings,

i'm thinking of adding an external DAC in front of my Theta Casablanca II (w/Superior DACs). Just wondering how far up one would have to go to exceed the performance of the Theta Superior DACs...

$400 CambridgeAudio DACMagic
$750 PS Audio DLIII
$1,000 Benchmark DAC1
$1,800 Bryston
$2,500 Weiss

I know theta makes great stuff, but the DACs in my CBII have some yers on them, and things improve so rapidly in the digital side... just wondering if anyone has done what I'm thinking of, what results they found, and how far up one has to go to to exceed the performance of the CBII Superior DACs.

Many thanks,
Scott
128x128srosenberg
I have an CB3 w/superior boards (best you could buy when I bought it). My DAC started missing the 1st second or two of most songs. Amplifier Technologies, who purchased Theta, kept it for weeks and weeks and returned it in the same condition. They refused to help me, even though it was still under warranty. (Even though I love my CB3, I will never buy Theta again due to this. When John Bayloff was with Theta-he really took care of his customers) Anyway, I purchased a Kora Hermes II tubed DAC and it is head and shoulders above what I had. Very smooth and warm. If I were you, I would consider an outboard DAC and run it analog matrix direct. This way, you can still crossover your subs if you want, while keeping the clear sound of direct. If you have an analog output on your CD transport, try running it analog direct. You won't believe the difference in quality.
Guess I should have read the other threads before responding. I see my subject was covered very well before my input. That will teach me...It's all in fun anyway.
been about a year since i started this thread... lots of changes in my system since then. i'm no longer running the Casablanca, having moved to an aesthetix calypso preamp and weiss minerva DAC.

i'll not get too effusive here... suffice to say, my system has never sounded this good.

-scott
I'm using my Gen VIII v2 as a straight 2 channel (analog/digial) but also intergrated into the CB3 for HT (L&R). For 2 channel, I would not compare the Gen VIII's DAC's to the CB3's extreme DACS as they are different. CB3 excels in HT not pure 2 channel digital or analog(though they are better than most IMO).

Currently Theta CB seems so be in flux (being polite). I wouldn't buy into this brand right know. Hopefully the 1.4HDMI upgrade will happen but who really knows. I'm sticking with them only because 90% on my gear is with them and of course I love the sound of Theta. But again who really knows if that upgrade will ever happen. This is what happens when you buy into the small high end brands. Buyer beware