Audio Alchemy DTi Pro 32 - Any Good?

I've owned all this stuff. The Pro Drive is a very good unit and can probably be used successfully with any DAC. The DTI Pro 32 and DDE v.3 are a pain, basically junk. They sound pretty good WHEN they are working and connected with IsqS. But I would forget about the AA stuff and think about some better quality equipment to hook up to your current drive. When I had all this AA stuff, I hooked up the Pro Drive to a variety of high end DACs and it always sounded pretty good. The DTI Pro 32 was great in concept but fell far short in execution. If you can find a good quality used DAC I think you will be happier. You'll also save a lot of time that you would have used trying to figure out why your AA wasn't working or won't lock on. Maybe a little harsh but I'm speaking from experience. Good luck!

Thanks Rja,

I take your point about AA reliability. I bought a new V3.0 Dac years ago and was back and forth to my dealer with problems, until I finally exchanged it for a Monarchy 18B.
I did finally buy the DTI Pro 32 and it actually powered up and locked fine, and has worked well for the 3 months that I've owned it. It has made a definate improvement to my system, more air, clarity, stage depth etc.

However, I'm still looking for ways of getting more out of digital, hopefully so I can drop the analog bug which is biting again.

Do you have any ideas on what would make a significant improvement on my EAD 7000III, with or without the DTI Pro?

I've thought about a Thete GenV, but figured it's from the same era as my EAD, so there are probably better options out there.
Would appreciate input from anyone passing through.

Carl

I have owned a 3.0 since new in 95 or so and it absolutely rocks. Having heard so much over the years about the DTI Pro a few months ago I decided to finally try it. Well, after 4 days of tweaking, coaxing, and cajoling, it only worked one time, and afterward not again. Last theory I was on was that the I2 cable was the wrong one for this combo. Give me a break.

I really wanted it to work but the frustration it caused reminded me of why I got out of separates, tweaks and HEA in the first place. That said, the 3.0 alone as is is a magnificently detailed, rythmic and musical piece. It works even with cheap older DVD players as well as newer and better stuff. At current prices, it is highway robbery.

I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I used to sell this stuff and had remembered a couple of complaints about the reliability of some of the AA stuff (esp. the transports!) so was a little concerned about buying Audio Alchemy gear myself. I can honestly say I have been the owner of several Alchemy products in the last nine years, the original DTI+, DTI-PRO and Pro32, powered digital cables and power supplies (PS2) I have never had a quality issue with any of these units. So maybe I should be playing craps in Vegas but I would bet that you'd be all right buying AA gear.

BTW: I still use the Pro32, cables and power supply in my main system. No probs after all these years.