Ess Sabre Dacs

The DAC's chip is not the only determining factor of sound quality. Most of a DAC's quality and character comes from the analog stage.

Perhaps the Mac is the 9008 DAC while my Peachtree Audio Nova is the 9006 DAC.

Sounds right good.

Ballan,
ok then, #$%^ the dac, comment on the analog stages

@Wpines: The Wavelength DACs sound great.

My understanding is that the new John Westlake designed Audiolab players use ESS DAC chips.

They seem pretty intriguing for sure, 5 inputs including asynch USB and a clock locked transport as well.

8200CD and 8200CDQ are the models I think, the CDQ having preamp and headphone capabilities. Straight DAC is to follow apparently.

Pricing is pretty reasonable by the looks of things-sub $1500, could be a winner.