Bel Canto DAC 2 and Sonos

Hello. I have a DAC2 and the ZP80. Have used them both together for years and have not had any problems. I think it is an improvement over the analog outs. Much warmer and fuller sound to me. I also am using a Monarchy DIP between them, which I don't think makes as big of an improvement over just the DAC (but thats just me). The volume control works fine. I use it that way a fair amount when I am doing background listening. I don't really use the Line-In, but I can't imagine that wouldn't be fine, as it seems like that wouldn't impact the digital out (but don't know that for sure). Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Used PS Audio DLIII would be my choice..

OK, good that you know what to look for. I would think the Bel Canto would be a good DAC. There are a lot of new DAC's out there and that may account for all the activity.

Actually in playback there is much more variation in the quality of the music tracks than there is in the equipment. I have some real "stinkers". Poorly recorded CD's that yield poor digital files.
Paul

Yes, thank you. I know all the theoretical, and about jitter etc. And I also understand how the digital volume control works.

I'm curious about the Bel Canto DAC2 specifically, since they seem to be unloading rather cheaply on this site. I suppose the Benchmarks are going around the same price, maybe a tad higher.

I read on another thread that someone was having trouble with a BC DAC3 and a ZP80:
http://forums.sonos.com/showthread.php?t=9444
I'd hate to buy a used DAC2 from this site, and have some weird problem with it.

Thanks

First, I don't use a Bel Canto DAC, I use a Benchmark USB version. However I do use it with a ZP-90.

The sound quality of the ZP-90 with almost any external DAC will be better than the analog outputs of the ZP-90.

If possible use the ZP-90 with "fixed" output for the best performance. Otherwise, try to keep the Sonos software volume control under about 75%.

Possibly the most important consideration is "jitter". The external DAC needs to have good jitter reduction, or a jitter reduction device, or a mod done to the ZP-90 to reduce jitter. It's important and can easily add another $500 to the cost.

Paul