Bel Canto DAC2 : Sounds more like music

That's what I said when I decided to keep this baby for my system. It bettered my Theta Basic IIIa. Even an EVS Millenium 2 was slightly bettered by it.

I complained -- I always do. Maybe the presentation is a little more laidback in the treble. Maybe those cymbals sound not quite as defined as in the EVS. Maybe the slightly forward presentation I like is not there. The Millenium is a very good DAC. It's dynamic, full, detailed, good harmonics. But the Bel Canto has even better harmonics; particularly noticeable on brass -- it has that organic bloom that "goes out" further and sounds like mechanical.

The end result was, in my system: B&W 802 III w/Northcreek x-overs, SFL2, ARC VT100 MkII -- it just SATISFIED more in the end, and sounded more like real instruments, and less electronic-sounding. I am surprised it has not received the press it deserves yet. It has a very black background; no texture. There is a certain cleanness it has that the other pieces didn't have to the same extent. Subtle, but hearable, and, to these ears, it makes a difference.

For now, I'm happy ---------------------