Matt just got the new ODSX from Steve. Needs to be burned in still. I sold my ODSE/SE and got the Ayre QX5/20 over the other contenders in the thread and love it. To my ears, it's just behind the TotalDAc and was very very close. I like it better than the Berk Ref in that it is more dynamic and more detailed, while still being very musical. It just keeps great timing and timber. The bass on the Ayre sets it apart for me from many other DAC's I've had in the house. This thread should keep going, but right now it's seen nearly every DAC in it change.
I was able to get a Rossini in my system with the external clock. It's a great DAC if you want hyper detail, but for my tastes it sounded just like it has in the all stores I've heard it and that's dry. Just not the musical DAC I expected. I was never able to warm up to the music. I think it's the typical DCS sound though as I've heard their top system a few times and they too left me a bit cold. EMM is the DAC a lot of the guys are talking about. I have spent some time with the new Brinkmann DAC and it's also very good, but I still like my Ayre better and it's a full digital hub.
I"m sure there will be a ton of responses as most of the guys posting have been too busy to say anything, but they will in time.
I was able to get a Rossini in my system with the external clock. It's a great DAC if you want hyper detail, but for my tastes it sounded just like it has in the all stores I've heard it and that's dry. Just not the musical DAC I expected. I was never able to warm up to the music. I think it's the typical DCS sound though as I've heard their top system a few times and they too left me a bit cold. EMM is the DAC a lot of the guys are talking about. I have spent some time with the new Brinkmann DAC and it's also very good, but I still like my Ayre better and it's a full digital hub.
I"m sure there will be a ton of responses as most of the guys posting have been too busy to say anything, but they will in time.