Audio Research Reference DAC

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by uwbadger

Agree 1000%!

Cd-8 with USB dig input from music server and I am writing a check to AR. One less box , one less set of cables - no brainer.

Why not???

A CES visit might be in order

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by metaphacts

A CES visit might be in order

Bill...interesting . Thx for the heads up

[uwbadger]

Originally Posted by metaphacts

A CES visit might be in order

When and where???

[uwbadger]

Z

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by uwbadger

When and where???

CES is a For the Trade Only show held in Las Vegas every January. ARC will be in the Venetian Hotel on the 29th floor.

[Portugal]

For this kind of integrated dac+pre solutions, one issue that comes to mind is competition of companies stronger on sources (e.g. dCS; MSB) vs companies stronger on amplification (e.g. Audio Research).

[bzr]

Originally Posted by Portugal

For this kind of integrated dac+pre solutions, one issue that comes to mind is competition of companies stronger on sources (e.g. dCS; MSB) vs companies stronger on amplification (e.g. Audio Research).

I can tell you my Diamond DAC IV performs preamp duties admirably in comparison to Plinius M8 & Moon P7.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by bzr

I can tell you my Diamond DAC IV performs preamp duties admirably in comparison to Plinius M8 & Moon P7.

Mix and match is fine for audiophiles. I have no use for synergy, though it insures I will have repeat business from customers who will never find what they seek.

Proper matching allows far more access to the music. If you are an ARC fan, the REF DAC is likely to be a better choice than the mix and match, hit and miss of the false God that is synergy.

YMMV

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by uwbadger

Agree 1000%!

Cd-8 with USB dig input from music server and I am writing a check to AR. One less box , one less set of cables - no brainer.

Why not???

Meridian 808.5 does the job nicely and the earlier iterations have been on the market for a decade or so already.

Multiple digital inputs (3 coaxial, 5 optical, 1 usb, 3 cat 5) up to 24 bit 192
Multiple analogue inputs (6 unbalanced on phono)
CD transport
Volume control

Job done.

This is the back panel from the 808.3 without the new USB inputs.

[Harbapapa]

Originally Posted by metaphacts

Mix and match is fine for audiophiles. I have no use for synergy, though it insures I will have repeat business from customers who will never find what they seek.

Proper matching allows far more access to the music. If you are an ARC fan, the REF DAC is likely to be a better choice than the mix and match, hit and miss of the false God that is synergy.

YMMV

I have cd8 and ref3. Thinking of getting a dac (dac8?). But for the price of new dac8 I could sell cd8 + ref3 and trade them to refdac because I'm only using digital sources now. But I agree cd8 with digital input or refdac with analog input would be even better.