JFYI Soix, I just recently bought Metrum Octave dac to replace Electrocompaniet ECD-1 (old but still in production). A pity though that I didn't have them both at the same time. Once I ordered Octave, I posted an ad here on A'gon out of boredom and it was sold 1 day later. lol But from memory, Octave (currently at 125 hour burn-in mark) with Venom3 PC is better. Somehow I didn't hear any significant difference on ECD-1 with or without Venom3.
The rest of my gears are Pass XP-10 pre, XA30.5 amp and Focal Electra. I use AppleTV (not ideal of course but I can't live without its interface for my all-in-one system) + Empirical Audio Synchro-mesh reclocker as transport. My music mostly consists of CD ripped 16/44.1 and iTunes lossless materials.
As for cables, my speaker cables are standard 12-gauge Tributaries ones (which are to be replaced with Grover Huffman, still waiting). ICs are all Nordost Heimdall XLR and single ended. Digital RCA is Grover Huffman.
