Audio Alchemy DTi Pro 32 - Any Good?

The DTI-PRO 32 is an excellent addition to your existing system. I would not hesitate recommending it, especially with your existing equipment. I also recommend the upgraded power supply. I have the AA Power Station 2 which powers up to three AA devices and it was a nice upgrade. The unit can run warm and it will need good ventilation. Mine sits atop my DAC and I have never had issues with the unit. It can pass HDCD signals and can increase word length to 24 bit. I use 20-bit as a match for my 20 bit DAC. Adding the DTI to the set-up elevated the detail, depth and stage of just about every CD I have. I have not compared this to the Genesis or the new Perpetual Tech gear but I bought my DTI 32 about 3 years ago for around $400 and it was a steal (then). It was some of the best money I've spent in my system and I would consider it a bargain at twice that amount (originally listed around $1400). I have heard many of the latest/greatest 24 bit DAC's and I am very comfortable with the performance of my digital front-end and have yet to feel the need to upgrade. In fact, when/if I do upgrade, it will probably be to SACD - which is the only format (with the test disc)that sounds better than what I currently have. As a side, I just bought the new Rolling Stones "Hot Rocks" on a hybrid CD/SACD and it is awesome on the CD layer without the SACD capability! Good luck and go for it! Tony

I guess I am one of the lucky ones. I used to sell this stuff and had remembered a couple of complaints about the reliability of some of the AA stuff (esp. the transports!) so was a little concerned about buying Audio Alchemy gear myself. I can honestly say I have been the owner of several Alchemy products in the last nine years, the original DTI+, DTI-PRO and Pro32, powered digital cables and power supplies (PS2) I have never had a quality issue with any of these units. So maybe I should be playing craps in Vegas but I would bet that you'd be all right buying AA gear.

BTW: I still use the Pro32, cables and power supply in my main system. No probs after all these years.

Hi.
Yes, AA is out of business but there is support for AA gear from Dusty Vawter at Channel Island Audio. I think he was one of AA's engineers back when they were still in operation. As far as performance, AA gear is "dated". I can honestly tell you that my DTI-PRO32 and DAC combo are still superior to the 24/192 internal DAC in my Sony ES. I feel it is also superior to most DACs I have heard in the last few years - at comparable price points of course. Newer doesn't always mean better, even with a technology that has developed as rapidly as digital audio. I remember the DTI-PRO32 being in the reference system at Stereophile for several years in a row (approx 1995-1998). It was good enough then and for the $300 you can buy it for today, it is a steal! 1/5 of its original price! Considering its performance and the fact it can be serviced to this day, I would not hesitate purchasing the DTI-PRO32. Now if your budget allows you to drop a few $K on a digital front-end, you will find better but not without confirming the "law of diminishing returns". IMO - Tony