UPDATE:
I've eventually decided to remove the isolation transformer over my DAC(though the one over the HTPC remains). Over time, in the wake of this ISO trsf's initial inclusion and being properly configured(/wired), I (still) had the recurring, fluctuating feeling of a slight "rounding" of or padded nature to the sound that left me wanting for a little more edge and reverberative breathing room, so to speak. Lower to central mids seemed to have grown in size and presence, bringing with them a beguiling warmth and intimacy, and high frequencies appeared slightly more resolved. However, the longer I lived with this sonic character, if you will, the more I longed for a more vibrant and expansive field of sound.
So then, immediately in the wake of uncoupling the ISO trsf over the DAC-9 I missed the presence and warmth from earlier, as if the presentation had turned somewhat out of focus, slightly more "pale" in its musical color, and becoming a tad uninvolving. Yet, at the same time the distribution of the soundstage now seemed more "even," no longer curving out towards the listener, and leaving more room/space to voices which sounded more dense and sharply carved out. Overall the presentation felt slightly more lean and distanced.
In the days since, now a week ago, I've settled into the sound sans DAC ISO trsf, and haven't felt wanting for more warmth or intimacy nor experienced any fluctuating "there's something not right with the sound"-feeling. I can still recall, if prompted, the sound now being a bit leaner, but it's not lean as such - I find. Now I treasure my NuForce poweramp being warmed up over a couple of hours and what it brings to the sound(although it sounds just fine when immediately turned on), whereas before (with DAC ISO trsf) I almost felt as if the sound became a tad too smooth and warm/closed-in when the poweramp had been left on for some hours; if it's any bearing I believe it tells me something important about the sonic balance as is..
It's worth mentioning that my initial trying out the ISO trsf over the DAC was recommended by a friend who'd tried out the same in his system, and so the initiative was not inspired by my own ears in search for a corrective tweak to the sonic balance, or otherwise, of my audio setup. It would appear then that at least in this regard - i.e. the overall tonal balance - my setup is pretty much spot-on to my ears as is.
Right now I'm not in a hurry to try out another isolation transformer solution, but I suspect there're combinations that would work very well without adding the, to my ears, too pronounced softening and enlargement of the sonic image.
I've eventually decided to remove the isolation transformer over my DAC(though the one over the HTPC remains). Over time, in the wake of this ISO trsf's initial inclusion and being properly configured(/wired), I (still) had the recurring, fluctuating feeling of a slight "rounding" of or padded nature to the sound that left me wanting for a little more edge and reverberative breathing room, so to speak. Lower to central mids seemed to have grown in size and presence, bringing with them a beguiling warmth and intimacy, and high frequencies appeared slightly more resolved. However, the longer I lived with this sonic character, if you will, the more I longed for a more vibrant and expansive field of sound.
So then, immediately in the wake of uncoupling the ISO trsf over the DAC-9 I missed the presence and warmth from earlier, as if the presentation had turned somewhat out of focus, slightly more "pale" in its musical color, and becoming a tad uninvolving. Yet, at the same time the distribution of the soundstage now seemed more "even," no longer curving out towards the listener, and leaving more room/space to voices which sounded more dense and sharply carved out. Overall the presentation felt slightly more lean and distanced.
In the days since, now a week ago, I've settled into the sound sans DAC ISO trsf, and haven't felt wanting for more warmth or intimacy nor experienced any fluctuating "there's something not right with the sound"-feeling. I can still recall, if prompted, the sound now being a bit leaner, but it's not lean as such - I find. Now I treasure my NuForce poweramp being warmed up over a couple of hours and what it brings to the sound(although it sounds just fine when immediately turned on), whereas before (with DAC ISO trsf) I almost felt as if the sound became a tad too smooth and warm/closed-in when the poweramp had been left on for some hours; if it's any bearing I believe it tells me something important about the sonic balance as is..
It's worth mentioning that my initial trying out the ISO trsf over the DAC was recommended by a friend who'd tried out the same in his system, and so the initiative was not inspired by my own ears in search for a corrective tweak to the sonic balance, or otherwise, of my audio setup. It would appear then that at least in this regard - i.e. the overall tonal balance - my setup is pretty much spot-on to my ears as is.
Right now I'm not in a hurry to try out another isolation transformer solution, but I suspect there're combinations that would work very well without adding the, to my ears, too pronounced softening and enlargement of the sonic image.