Any reviews/input on Cary Audio Xciter DAC?

I've just spent an evening listening to the Cary Xciter DAC and it's pretty amazing. Don't be fooled by the MSRP of $1,500. Cary kept the costs down by simplifying (no remote, single-ended outputs only, non-adjustable 24/192 upsampling, simple but solid enclosure). The money went into the state of the art 32-bit/192khz DAC chip and the new technology in the analog output stage. The previous owner feels that it's comparable to the $4,000 Cary 303/300 CDP in terms of DAC quality (he upgraded to the Cary 306 Pro SACD/CD player, an $8,000 unit). The Cary DAC immediately blew away my old but much enjoyed MSB DAC Link III with 24/96 upsampling and Powerbase. With the Cary processing Eva Cassidy's "Live at Blues Alley" CD, I heard much more detail with better dynamics, yet with an effortless sound and without any digital harshness. I turned up the volume and remained very comfortable for a long listening session, like listening to vinyl or SACD. Then I put on the hybrid SACD/CD of "The Ray Brown Trio, Live at the Loa," a very fine live jazz recording. I've listened to its SACD layer many times through my Sony SCD-2000ES player. However, the CD layer through the Cary (using the Sony as the transport) sounded better than the SACD layer going through the Sony's DSD DAC; more detail, more dynamics, taller and deeper soundstage, effortless detail. Next week I will receive a new Sony 5400ES SACD/CD player and the Cary will have some stiffer competition. (The Sony 5400 has no digital input, so I bought the Cary to process other sources, and eventually to serve as the DAC for a network music system, probably based on the new Squeezebox Touch, available in December, which will handle up to 24/96 input for $299 MSRP.) I hope this is helpful. I will comment later on the Cary's Toslink and USB inputs, and in comparison to the Sony 5400ES, if anybody's interested. You might want to hear this DAC before you spend a lot of money on mods to a CDP that may not have a DAC chip or output stage design that is as capable as the Cary's.

Thank you for your time and input. Something told me this DAC really needs to be heard. Cary products are quality, period. I am reconsidering my position on this. Drew at Moon Audio in North Carolina told me it was a great DAC also, on par with the high-end Cary CD players. I also liked the idea that Cary partnered with another company on the chip, which says alot right there, with each company focusing on its strengths and its core knowledge. I am sure your Xciter will only sound better with use also. Thanks again.

You are most welcome. I read the 6moons review of the Underwood-modified Music Hall 25.2 CDP and it sounds like a very nice unit. However, even if you paid an extra $100 to get the Burr-Brown op amp upgrade, I think the Cary would have the technology edge with its 32-bit DAC and collaboratively designed National Semiconductor output devices. Good luck with your decision! Either way you will enjoy your music more than ever.

Do you know if it accepts a 24/192 signal? Or something lower and so will always be upsampling?

Yes, the exciter accepts up to 24/192k.

http://www.caryaudio.com/products/xciter/XciterDAC.html