Former MHDT Havana Lovers: What did you move onto?

First: FORGET most of what I said about the Bel Canto DAC 2.5. I had been running it direct using the built-in digital volume control. When I plugged it into my Placette it improved considerably! Less harsh, more depth, subtlety, and delicacy. It is a very good DAC! Still not quite as natural and organic as the Havana, but technically superior and still a touch warm and pretty liquid. The differences running into the Placette are pretty surprising since the Placette is nothing more than a passive resistor ladder!

Mezmo, how much better/natural is the Ayre vs. the Bel Canto in your opinion? Right now I'm considering replacing the Paradisea in my bedroom with the Havana and keeping the DAC 2.5 so I can swap in the Havana when I feel like it. It is very hard to let go of that DAC. If I went to the Ayre I would have to sell the Havana, so I would only want to do this if the improvement from BC to Ayre is substantial. I have read a couple comparisons between the 3.5 and QB-9 stating that they are more similar than different but the Ayre has a just a little more air and delicacy.

Macdadtexas, I have read your thoughts on the Bryston a couple times in other threads. :) I would like a second opinion, ideally from someone who has heard the Bryston, Havana, and Ayre.

Oh my Meiwan... I had JUST told myself, "F- it, I'm getting the Ayre. Otherwise I'll constantly be thinking about it.". And immediately I read your post about the Calyx. Another, even more affordable, async DAC that I have seen in 2 independent reviews best the Ayre, Tranquility SE, and Bryston. At that price, I don't think I can resist!

THANKS! [That's a double edged thanks :)]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Lots of interesting stuff out there! I think I'll stick with the Bel Canto for a while -- it is really growing on me -- and then skip a level and go straight to the Berkeley Alpha DAC. :)

OK, just got a response from the US dealer of the Calyx 24/192 who has it in stock, albeit in black while I slightly prefer silver. About to pull the trigger, but have questions about return policy and warranty service. I'm so ADD.

I hope returns are offered, at least with a restocking fee. I get the feeling I won't need to exercise such options, but I would imagine resale value is pretty poor with a brand like Calyx, however hot the item is in some circles.

Well, I've got a Calyx 24/192 DAC on the way!

I also got the V-Cap OIMPs installed in my Havana. They only have about 24 hours on them but there is definitely a significant level of added clarity (and in turn inner detail) and immediacy. At this point things sound a little shut in narrow, but soundstage expansion is supposedly one of the hallmarks of these caps so I'm not worried. Interestingly it also sounds a little warmer, which may not be the best thing for this DAC.

I'll post my impressions of the Calyx once it's burned in.

Well, the Calyx is burned in and it is sounding marvelous! The scale is a great deal larger than the Havana and Bel Canto -- wider, deeper, and taller. In terms of timbre and tonality, I am more than satisfied coming from the Havana. Inner detail and articulation, image precision, dynamics, and bass definition are all great improvements over the Havana and Bel Canto. Despite the high level of detail it is not hard, etched, or bright in any way. On the contrary, some may find it too soft, but I think it is just right. Transparency and noise floor are also very good. Build quality is superb.

I am very happy and will not upgrade until I can try something like the Berkeley Alpha DAC or something else in the $5k+ range, but that is a long ways ahead. I am not even using an outboard power supply, which is now available from Calyx.

By the way, no longer using the Placette, but that was after the Calyx came in. Also upgraded my power amp twice and the Calyx is in no way outmatched by the rest of my gear. In fact, I am planning on upgrading the speakers and pre before the DAC:

W4S STP-SE
Luxman M-600a
Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor M
REL B2
Audience AU24e speaker cables and IC (DAC -> pre)
JPS Superconductor 2 IC (pre -> power)
Audience powerChord e

Some helpful links about the DAC:

http://www.digitalaudioblog.com/2011/02/review-calyx-dac-24192.html

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/calyx3/1.html

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Calyx-vs-QB-9-and-winner

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/Weiss-202-vs-Calyx-And-winner

http://www.northwoodsav.com

Just give Ron a call!