Bel Canto Dac1

I replaced a Micro Mega Duo BS1 with a Bel Canto around 9 months ago. The Micro Mega replaced a Theta Pro Basic II. Before getting the Bel Canto I home auditioned the MSB Link (version 1, I believe). The Micro Mega was much better than the MSB. Not even close. The MSB had a little more midrange detail, but was lacking in bottom end and sounded lean and unnatural. The MSB is worth every penny of around $300, but not much more. I also have Micro Mega Micro Dac that sounded better than the MSB. The Bel Canto stomped the Micro Mega-much more detailed (more than the MSB) and more natural sound. I am going to sell my Oracle turntable. The only processor I have heard that rivals the Bel Canto would be a Theta Gen V and I would bet the Bel Canto has a better midrange (Theta has more bass). Recently a friend of mine who has heard the Linn Sondek CD player visited and said my system sounded better.

I am using a Parasound C/BT 2000 (belt drive), Harmonic Tech. Copper Cable, Audio Alchemy DTI Pro, Madrigal Digital cable into the DAC-1. I am using Harmonic Tech Truthlinks into my preamp, but I have also used MIT Terminator 2 i/c's with success. For fun, I have put the Bel Canto into my second system where I use a Marantz CD-94 and AA DTI 2.0 as a transport and it sounded fine. I have not been able to try a DVD player as a transport which is what Bel Canto recommends. The only all in one player I have recently auditioned at home was a Rega Planet and my old Micro Mega Mini-dac sounded just like it, if not a little smoother. I have heard the Wadia all in one players in dealer demos but I think my Bel Canto sounds smoother with the same or better resolution. If you can get a Pioneer DVD player for $200, a used AA DTI 2.0 or pro, and the Bel Canto DAC, you would probably have a world class digital set up for less than a high priced all in one player.