The reviews are all glowing for the AA DDP 1/PS 5. How does the DAC compare to the sound of the Raysonic 228? I'm using a quad of the orange globe Amperex 6DJ8's.
DAC recommendations--Auralic Vega vs Audio Alchemy DDP 1---others w/remote volume control?
I'm tired of trying to get my older but beloved integrated cdp's repaired (and having it not done right) so I'm going with a separate DAC and transport. I'm replacing a Raysonic 228 and a Consonance Droplet 5.0. I want to skip a preamp (although not opposed to DACs with built preamp of some sort or another) so need DAC's with a built in remote volume control. I'd like to keep the price under $1500 used and will be going with a Space Tech transport new so I won't have to worry about the hours already racked up by a previous owner. I'm big into detail and love pinpoint imaging. I want to hear everything so long as the sound isn't unnatural and/or aggressive. The Vega and the Alchemy DDP 1 sound very promising. Has anyone heard both and can comment on differences? Any other options I should look into at the <$1500 price point? I'll be using the DAC with a cd transport exclusively at first so that's the only function I need to consider. Many thanks for the input.