bel canto dac 3 cd 2 owners

Turnaround time for my upgrade was a couple of weeks, but I would expect that to vary with their number of commitments at any given time. I had it powered up and running for about a week before any critical listening was done so I can't really comment on changes during break in time. I find the DAC to be much more emotionally engaging and musical with the upgrade, so I would say their description of the changes were accurate. As always, YMMV.

Thanks Bill. Sounds like a better upgrade than the Ref VB power cord upgrade
for the same cost. I can't imagine the sound stage getting any bigger. It is
already huge. I am very excited to get both.

I wouldn't say that the soundstage gets bigger, but more well defined with a better sense of space around all of the individual instruments. With the upgrade there is a new level of purity/clarity to the sound that is quite apparent, with an even better sense of each instrument's natural harmonic decay.

What does the VB Ref cable look like?

Is it between the VBS and the DAC? Damn.

I just did the MkII upgrade and it's spectacular.

Yes, the VB Ref cable goes between the VBS and the DAC3.5VB in place of the standard power supply cable. The VB Ref cable is clearly identified on the heat shrink and is thicker than the standard cable. In the Stereophile review they stated that it made a more significant difference than the different digital cables they tried. I agree with your assessment of the Mk. II upgrade, it makes an already great DAC truly spectacular as it is now so musically effortless and much more engaging!