Audio Alchemy DTi Pro 32 - Any Good?

Hi!
Has anyone mentioned that Audio Alchemy isn't around anymore? (They are out of business aren't they?) If something goes wrong, is there any support for repairs? As far as technology goes, it's getting "dated" rather quickly, and although it was good for its time, I'm wondering if it can really stand-up to the newer technology as far as D/A conversion goes. You can probably get it cheap, but you'd probably be better-off saving your money and getting something newer if you really want better performance.

Hi.
Yes, AA is out of business but there is support for AA gear from Dusty Vawter at Channel Island Audio. I think he was one of AA's engineers back when they were still in operation. As far as performance, AA gear is "dated". I can honestly tell you that my DTI-PRO32 and DAC combo are still superior to the 24/192 internal DAC in my Sony ES. I feel it is also superior to most DACs I have heard in the last few years - at comparable price points of course. Newer doesn't always mean better, even with a technology that has developed as rapidly as digital audio. I remember the DTI-PRO32 being in the reference system at Stereophile for several years in a row (approx 1995-1998). It was good enough then and for the $300 you can buy it for today, it is a steal! 1/5 of its original price! Considering its performance and the fact it can be serviced to this day, I would not hesitate purchasing the DTI-PRO32. Now if your budget allows you to drop a few $K on a digital front-end, you will find better but not without confirming the "law of diminishing returns". IMO - Tony

For what reason is the AA talked about, Audiogon has them listed as OOB?????

This might be a very late reply to a (possibly) already dead conversation thread, but I'm writing this to provide info for those who (these days) might be interested in trying out Audio Alechemy DTI stuff, since there is no real info on them anymore.

Little about me:

I've been doing this a LONG time (starting mid 80's) and have always had a facination for DACs.

Through the years Ive managed to collect quite a few DACs and I presently own maybe around 60 high-end unit, some quite expensive back in the day.

I also own many new units and strangely, even the new DACs with SuperDuper anti-jitter subsystems, buffers, u-processors and what not still benefit from the lowly AA DTI Pro's! (for 16/44 playback).

I (personal opinion) believe DTI Pro's are still very relevant upgrades into any systems using external DACs for 16/44 listening.

I have owned (and still do) many DTI's, DTI Pros, and DTI Pro 32's units and still use many of them in my systems (3 in main system, one in bedroom, 2 at work).

I agree with earlier comments:

To get their best, you'll need the Monolith PSU's which is a much more elaborate effort than anything else by Audio Alchemy.

The circuit design + components used in the DTI Pro / DTI Pro 32 are far superior to Hardware used in lower High End to mid High End equipment, even today.

 

Problems:

They ran quite hot. So jamming them up into a tiny little rack wont work for very long.

However, using Monolith PSU's lowers the disipation quite dramatically and make'em sound absolutely incredible at the same time.

I was lucky enough to find a pair of DTI PRo 32's on the net from a gentlman engineer who had done some very extensive work on them to make'em more reliable: upgrading caps, regulators, resistors, better components etc.

Needless to say, I absolutely love them and cannot imagine a single day without them in my system.

They've been working for the past 10 years constantly without any issues.

In my present reference system I use:

- Squeezebox Touch & Aurrender as network transports

- Pioneer PDS 95 used a CD Transport

 - AA DTI Pro v2 and DTI Pro 32 + 2 Monolith PSU's

- Forsell Air Reference mk2 DAC (that's right: the legendary DAC from Sweden)

- A pair of 25 W / Ch Audion Silver Night 300B monoblocks upgraded with Lundahl transformers & Duelunds caps and silk+ silver cables.

- All cabling = Transparent Cables including power cables

- External PS filtering units (Transparent Cables)

- Speakers: Dynaudio Consequence

 

Good luck!