Thanks for your comments above regarding the Oppo Sonica DAC. I appreciate the additional information that was posted.
After I posted my Oppo Sonica question above, I did some additional research on the Ayre Codex DAC and like it very much. The Ayre Codex DAC is an amazing small 3 pound box that helps my system sound much better. My Ayre Codex DAC is laying on its side with 3 Ayre Myrtle wooden blocks ($15 for 3) holding it up. I saw it this way at my retailer and they they recommended it be used in the laying down position. My Codex DAC is connected, using a James Romeyn Pure Balanced POWer Fully Balanced Interconnect cable with Cardas Rhodium XLR Connectors, to my Ayre AX-7e integrated amplifier and, after break in time, the Ayre Codex DAC is highly recommended. The sound quality is much improved with the Codex DAC.
The Cardas Rhodium XLR Connectors also take a while to break in but really help to improve the sound quality after several weeks.
After I posted my Oppo Sonica question above, I did some additional research on the Ayre Codex DAC and like it very much. The Ayre Codex DAC is an amazing small 3 pound box that helps my system sound much better. My Ayre Codex DAC is laying on its side with 3 Ayre Myrtle wooden blocks ($15 for 3) holding it up. I saw it this way at my retailer and they they recommended it be used in the laying down position. My Codex DAC is connected, using a James Romeyn Pure Balanced POWer Fully Balanced Interconnect cable with Cardas Rhodium XLR Connectors, to my Ayre AX-7e integrated amplifier and, after break in time, the Ayre Codex DAC is highly recommended. The sound quality is much improved with the Codex DAC.
The Cardas Rhodium XLR Connectors also take a while to break in but really help to improve the sound quality after several weeks.