DAC significantly better than a w4s DAC2-DSDse?

"Re: no pre-amp. Steve N: How do you handle volume control? Do you throw away bits to lower volume or do you attenuate the analog signal? "

Neither. I adjust the D/A reference voltage. This is what is multiplied times the data words to achieve the voltage output. IT scales the volume naturally, without bit decimation or analog noise/distortion. As the volume is decreased, the S/N actually improves and the distortion drops. The opposite of what happens with analog controls and attenuators. This is the optimum way to volume.

See:

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/products/overdrive-dac

and:

http://www.audiostream.com/content/empirical-audio-overdrive-se-usb-dacpre

"Has anyone done an A/B of your DAC against a good pre at low listening levels?"

Absolutely. I just demoed this effect at Newport show. They were amazed:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=125781.0

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

"anything 0.5V below Vcc results in rather compromised DAC chip specifications."

Alex - That depends entirely on the D/A and the supporting circuitry. You are correct that most D/A chips will not do this. I don't have this problem. The A/Bs have been done with several $20K+ preamps.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Alex - Reading your response again, I'm not sure you understand. I am not controlling Vcc. I am controlling Vref.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

There are some great DAC contenders in this Audiogon thread, so this might be a useful information.

Thanks Alex. I'd posted this b/c that thread muddied the waters enough I wasn't sure what to get.

Ideally I was looking for anyone that heard the new W4S + DSDse upgrades and thought another DAC sounded "better".

Were there any of the USB / async / XLR DACs in that thread that you particularly liked?

You're welcome Dddrrree.

Were there any of the USB / async / XLR DACs in that thread that you particularly liked?

To be quite honest, trying to answer your question from my perspective, there are really only two contenders from that thread.

1. The Lampi DAC, if you are OK dealing with tube rolling.

2. Steve's DAC

Why I am saying this is because I know the "cost no object" efforts such boutique manufacturers put into designing their products, unlike the rest that are made on a budged, mainly in China.

The third best would be the Rowland DAC, but despite that it uses the best in existence audio transformers by Lundahl Made in Sweden, it is far away from the above mentioned choices. IMHO, of course.

Hope this helps!

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi