IROC DAC or PS Audio Ultra DAC / Digital lens


I am exploring DAC's for My Mini Mac computer based music server the PS Audio Ultra DAC / Digital Lens and Larry Moore and his IROC . These are the two products that look most interesting to Me as of now . I was wondering if any people who went to RMAF had a chance to hear both of them and any thoughts.I did have a chance to hear the IROC once at a Cincinnati audio club meeting but this was before I set up My own music server. I would be using either optical [ Toslink } or USB out of the Mini Mac I just copy CD'S to My hard drive in AIFF and have no Hi Res downloads just looking for very good sound.I may in the future want the ability to do Hi Res files 24/96 but that is down the road a little bit I am still learning all this upsampling /oversampling /24/96 / 24/192 ect. just trying to figure it all out. I now use a older Cal alpha DAC with 24/96 upgrade and a Toslink cable sounds good but know there are better DAC'S out there. Thanks for any thoughts Marc
lake513

Showing 2 responses by drubin

The PS Audio Ultra DAC will not be released until some time next year (probably in the first 4 months they tell me). Their new Digital Lens will come later. The iROC is being discontinued in favor of Larry's new MusicStream DAC, which is about double the price. You may be able to locate a used iROC. Be aware that it is USB only, so you will have to use USB out of your Mac Mini, not Toslink. I have an iROC on the way and can comment in a week or so (I also use a Mac Mini).

Both the PS Audio and Larry's new MusicStream will use the CEntrance USB software, and Larry's will also use some of the Empirical Audio technology. These, along with the Wavelength DACs and a few others, should raise the bar considerably for USB DACs. You'll probably be limited to 24/96 with them, although, technically, USB can accommodate a higher sampling rate.
I picked up a used iRoc last week. I take back every bad thing I've said about USB audio. Holy crap, this thing is great!