Airpot Express - Upgrade amp or DAC?

"Steve, Isn't Metrum Octave a NOS DAC? I would need reclocker for best results with AE."

Yes, but you need a reclocker with upsampling DACs as well for best results with AE. They all benefit significantly from low-jitter sources.

"Many people go for NOS claiming ill effects of digital filtering (pulse response) but reclocker most likely involves digital filtering defeating purpose of NOS."

Depends on the reclocker. Older reclocking chips did have SQ impact, but the newer TI chip is really outstanding. I'll bet the DAC2 uses this one. Have not heard it yet.

Not being able to detect differences, even reviewers is quite common. All it takes is a typical active preamp and all of this will be masked in noise, compression and distortion. You will not hear the difference betwen AIFF and .wav for instance.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Thanks, Steve. I'm committed to wireless network but will wait few years to make big step with new DAC (and possibly reclocker). It looks like D/A chips improved but also reclocking chips and analog electronics are making big steps.

Kij - if you are waiting for another beter reclocker chip, you will wait a long time, maybe forever. I seriously doubt if TI has another on the drawing board and nobody else seems to be playing anymore...

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Steve, who makes reclocker with this new TI chip?

Kij - I do.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=106328.0

I dont know whats inside of newer Big Ben or other reclockers like Monarchy. I used to mod the Big Ben and the Monarchy DIP years ago.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio