The Audio Note DAC 5 on normal 44.1 CD fare outperforms the SACD-1 on SACD. Auditioned an Audio Note DAC 3 with CEC transport through Sphinx solid-state pre and power with KEF Reference loudspeakers. The lower-end extension was incredible: the dealer and I turned the Sphinx amps up very loud to scare away some drunks hanging out in front of the store (music: some modern ballet music with a long doublee bass intro). Very little hiss, and the contours were precise. The sound gave the impression of a gigantic volcano garden.
