This was a total impulse buy for me. For the money, it probably would have been smarter to buy a new sub, but I really like the idea of an outboard DAC (especially one with tubes). I just hooked it up and I like what I'm hearing.
http://www.gr-research.com/components/lite_dacs.htmFrom the GR Research website:
The DAC-60 has a tube output with a 24bit 96kHz DAC D/A chip using BB famous 24-bit PCM1704U-K, DIF CS8414, digital filter is DF1704, VCO for low jitter, optical and coaxial input selectable with input frequency display. Two 6922EH tubes with sampling frequency display board, optical and coaxial input, Dale resistor, OS-con, etc, tubes are new and using audio grade components with two R-core power transformers.
I also decided to have the DAC mods from Sonic Craft:
The power supply for the dac chips, audio circuit,
> and B+ receive filter
> mods and improvements via Sonicaps, Rel
> Polystyrenes, and Black Gates.
> The Coupling positions received a big dose of the
> good stuff via
> increased values of Sonicap with Platinum bypasses.
I made ICs and power cords and purchased a maple amp stand from Timber Nation which is sitting on a set of Isoblocks from Mapleshade.
My playback is now Toshiba 3960>Monarchy DIP Upsampler>Lite DAC 60>Yamaha HTR5590>Soliloquy 5.0 monitors & a Yamaha subwoofer.
I'll post some pics soon.