MIT Oracle MA Digital AES/EBU

Camb...I would say the MA-X is much more true to the source with much crisper edges/detail, more articulate. The Acoustic Revive is more musical, almost analog in character like all the AR stuff. Acoustic Revive has sort or a house sound that is very natural and organic. I would still call the DISX articulate, just not as much as the MIT (nothing really is to me). Not to say the MA-X lacks presence in any way but it does not have a glow/warmth to it. Being a true to the source kind of guy, I still prefer the MIT but it's pretty close.

Ironically, I'd characterize the HiDiamond as a superb balance between articulate and analog. You might want to see if you can get your hands on one, you may be pleasantly surprised.

I can understand being trepidatious about a product new to north American markets, kind of a shame though.

Thanks Richard.

Wow, it's really strange but the MIT Oracle I bought from The Cable Company sounds different than you describe between my Sooloos MC 200 and Simaudio 650D dac. In my system the MIT sounds fantastic in many ways but it's a little roled off in the high frequencies, making it sound very warm and analogue-like but lacking in air and spaciousness. The bass and mid-range are fantastic and articulate but I can't get over the missing high frequency extension. Neither The Cable Company nor MIT can figure out why I'm experiencing this roll off in high frequencies - must just be one of those few cases where the cable isn't a good match for the system...

Richard,, I use MIT's Oracle speaker cables, so when a digital link upgrade seemed necessary I brought home the Oracle MA and although it was the best one I tried, I had issues with the price. I kept searching and found the new Shunyada ZI-Tron to be the MIT's sonic equal but at a third the price.
The cable I'm using is AES and is connected between an Ayre C5mp and an Audio Research DAC8.

Joncourage: Thank you for your suggestion, certainly I am curious. Our's is a very strange hobby especially when it comes to how new products come to market. Being around as long as I have there seems to be a pattern with products that have a sudden spike in forum activity/enthusiasm. Of course not all those products are being shilled but they all warrant caution IMO.

Camb: Yes, it does sound a little strange but with digital audio so many things seem to matter so there are near endless reasons why the MIT is performing that way in your system. I have gone through every possible adjustment to refine my source...power cords, conditioners, outlets, USB cables, digital cables etc and they all matter. The latest find for me is the USB cable that connects my exterior drive to my server. If you read the forums or ask and "expert" they will tell you this cable will not impact sound. Most will say the USB cable that connects the server to DAC will but even some guys say that will not. Well...in my system they both do and not in subtle ways. Changing the feed from my HDD to server from generic eSATA cable to an Acoustic Revive USB cable has been a transforming event for my systems performance. Tremendous reduction in S/N, depth, image placement, clarity...just exceptional. I never thought this would matter but so glad I approached it with an open mind and tried it. Point of all that is there may be other things going on that are causing the rolled off highs. It could be the cable, just seems a little out of character from what I know. Luckily there are a zillion choices in digital cables so if it is in fact the cable it is a relatively easy fix and you may even find a less expensive solution:)

Tmsorosk: It IS pricey! Honestly, I have issues with most of MIT's pricing but continue to use them because I'm basically an idiot when it comes to hifi. As a whole, I still think they are the best, just way too much cash...way. Thank you for the suggestion, seems to be mounting respect for the new Shunyata technology. I'd love to give one a go.