What is the deal with the ART DIO

One Tweek that can be done immediately is getting rid of the 9V PSU unit.I had a Variable Ratshack unit I used in it's place.

I do think that having the Op Amp and it BIAS'd to Class A operation would be a big step in the right direction!There seems to be a touch of veiling to the unit that might be resolved by switching out some of the stock components!

I just bought mine and am waiting for a Digital Cable to arive!I will be mating it with a Phillips CD-80 1989 Vintage Transport!If you have an old machine and do not want to speand for a new machine or more expensive DAC then I cannot see anything wrong with trying it!

In my mind it's the poormans DAC and that's fine for me!I'm always looking for a good value!You are not going to get a SOTA DAC for $130 ,but I bet you will get improvement and with a few tweeks you'll get better sonics!

I wonder how many synergy issues are involved with getting the most from the unit also!Like trying out a few different cables or Changing out the OP amp Caps and resistors!

Paul Lam of FT Audio gave praise for it when mating with Phillips CDPs also!So it is well worth the risk to get one if needed IMHO!

Good LucK!

I have read that some IC's do not work good with the unit.Boulder uses Belden,I am getting Canare to see if it will work with it for a low cost cable until I find something better!
Someone wrote me with this Q?
Will the DIO work with any player with COAX out?My response was--yes!

I do not know what Bit DAC's you might be using ,but upon inserting the DAC with the new Canare Cable into the loop I was able to discern that some of the underlying Details that I was missing were more apparent!The effect is not astronomical,but it is there!

The most important improvement that I noticed was a better presence of Cymbals and Voice info is more distinct.

I will also point out that this is inserted in to a system which only had a 16bit stock Phillips DAC!Anything just about short of getting a Custom Powercord would probably be an improvement.

Another fact I will mention is I only had time to play 4 tunes that were fresh in my mind from listening at high Vol. yesterday as a good reference .The amp was cold and the CDP \ART DAC were on for 10mins so that they could warm up.The sound is rather sterile until my system has a chance to get warm so these are just initial impressions.The DAC and the Cable will also need time to burn-in for the sound to warm up.

The DAC Mod.\Tweeks would probably help also.If it was voted as being used in the playback at CES for Finest Sound Booth at the show there must be merit in using it .For me it was worth it!

Later!

A thing I am finding is that if you can find a respectable product and have it Modified you will do better than paying 10-20X as much for some things.
I have a B&K ST-202 that I will not sacrifice unless I need to drive a real difficult load.I think that Class A BIAS'd gear,quality parts,wiring,tweeking and design changes will improve the sound dramaticly!

The ART DIO should sound better than most stock DAC's after modifying!I think it's a safe bet to have a reputable Co. like BOulder do the Mods!Some Mods I think are more critical than others!I think the BIAS toward Class A,Parts and the wires are most important!

Those are my observations!