If you're sorted for Audiolab, I won't bring the 8200. In response to the request, I'll bring the Zodiac Plus, and maybe Gold, instead. I'll also pack cable.
From experience, it may be useful to agree the MO before the day - planning saves time.
For instance, do we audition all digital front ends with a sensitive DAC* first, then use the best transport as a level playing field on which to judge the DACs?
Or would you prefer to compare indivisible transport + DAC combinations? Ie: Squeezebox + Young vs NVA box vs laptop + Wyred 4 Sound DAC?
The danger of the 'paired' approach is that we might strike on a great combination, but not know whether to credit the DAC or transport - or whether that combo could be improved with a different partner . . .
Personally, I favour the first approach, which tends to arrive at a more helpful 'best sound of the day' verdict. What do you think?
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* I've found the Benchmark DAC1 to be a great tool for this purpose: most know what it sounds like, which sets a handy performance baseline; it's very transparent, super sensitive to input changes, and still considered the 'converter to beat below £1K' in certain circles.
From experience, it may be useful to agree the MO before the day - planning saves time.
For instance, do we audition all digital front ends with a sensitive DAC* first, then use the best transport as a level playing field on which to judge the DACs?
Or would you prefer to compare indivisible transport + DAC combinations? Ie: Squeezebox + Young vs NVA box vs laptop + Wyred 4 Sound DAC?
The danger of the 'paired' approach is that we might strike on a great combination, but not know whether to credit the DAC or transport - or whether that combo could be improved with a different partner . . .
Personally, I favour the first approach, which tends to arrive at a more helpful 'best sound of the day' verdict. What do you think?
------------
* I've found the Benchmark DAC1 to be a great tool for this purpose: most know what it sounds like, which sets a handy performance baseline; it's very transparent, super sensitive to input changes, and still considered the 'converter to beat below £1K' in certain circles.