Bel Canto DAC2 vs. DAC1/1.1?

I have recently upgraded my DAC 1.1 to a 2.0. I've enjoyed the 1.1 for several years here in my office system. I must say however that I was VERY pleasantly surprised how much better the 2.0 sounded. The first thing I noticed was a blacker, quieter background. The 2.0 is much less "digital" sounding than the 1.1. Bel Canto told me that virtually everything inside the DAC is removed and replaced with a new design. I've noticed tighter bass, more definition and a much more relaxed, musical presentation. IMHO, there is little comparison between the DACS. I would gladly upgrade again!

Hi Mshan...
I have not compared the coax and optical connections. I use a Theta Pearl transport in this system. It only has coax connectors. To answer your second question, I would have to say no because my main system consists of an Accuphase DP-90 transport and Electrocompaniet ECD-1 DAC. The BelCanto 2.0 and the Electrocompaniet DACs share a 24/192 upsampler which makes a significant improvement in music reproduction over the 24/96 in the 1.1. My primary objective was to make my office digital system sound closer to my main digital system.

The DAC 1.1 still sounds quite good. I was quite pleased with its performance for over 2 years. It's older technology competes, but just doesn't compare with the newer digital technology. For whatever difference in price you may find between the two DACS, I personally would gladly take the difference in transparency, the sheen and shimmer of brass and guitar, and the analog-like difference in musicality.

FWIW...get a 2.0, or if the budget permits, the Electrocompaniet. The EC is more refined and really enhances everything going through it....Good luck.