Bel Canto Dac1

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.

I have a Bel Canto DAC 1/Pioneer DVD 525 combo. They are a great combo for the price. If you want to get more air and musicallity try them with Analysis Plus Silver oval speaker cables and interconncets. They are awesome. Not cheap but well worth what you get. Good luck.

the bel canto doesn't sound worth a shit compared to maybe 95% of the other stuff out there @ the same mid-fi pricepoint. c'mon, this is suppposed to be hiend; you can't buy into it for $300.

Thank you Joe and Jel. Dreckman is your statement based on listening or do you specifically have a preference? Digital is probably one of the few areas in Hi-End where todays SOA can become tomorrows dinosaur. I have spoken with some industry people who have recommended to me the Bel Canto and have used it with a DVD transport in their show demos. That doesn't sound like chicken S. to me. That is not to say that there isn't better in the opinions of some. BTY since all you did was knock the Bel Canto without any alternative, what do you recommend? The Bel Canto retails for 1295.00 not 300.00. Will

The DAC 1 sounds wonderful in my system, (with a Pioneer DVD 525 as a transport,) and has been well reviewed in Soundstage. (Check the website for the 2 reviews; one with a toslink connection from a DVD transport, and the other with a couple of other dedicated transports.) http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/belcanto_dac1.htm http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/belcanto_dac1_followup.htm I can't say I have had the opportunity to audition 95% of what is out there, but I can tell you I have used both the Micromega Minium and Micromega Stage 4 players, and the DAC1 is better by far. I have no listener fatigue. I have very little non anologue mechanical sound with this set up. Tubegroover, give it a try with those tubes and let us know. Dreckman, did you have to special request that "ahole.org" mailbox? You have not ever heard the DAC1, I am sure. Happy Listening, Charlie.