This is my first post to this forum, but I've spent the last 3 hours reading this entire thread which has led to me joining and posting now.
First may I say how impressed I am with how John (and Dominik) interact with the users on this forum. It is rare, if encountered at all, that the actual designers or engineers of consumer products actively pursue feedback and provide responses on their products. I find it disappointing that AIG in China may not be providing the resources or relationship deserved of such people and their ambitious future plans, but remain hopeful they can move on from such constraints in the near future.
I have been looking to update my digital audio playback approach for some time. I currently have a Marantz SR7005 receiver with a pair of B&W 804S main speakers, and the B&W MT30 5.1 for surround duties. Digital music is fed into the system via an Apple TV 2 over optical via a Cambridge Audio DacMagic.
There are several points of limitation in this system. First, I hadn't realised that Apple TV 2 up samples to 48kHz for everything, but that doesn't surprise me - even through the DacMagic it hasn't been particularly impressive. All my music is ripped into Apple Lossless on iTunes, but I am currently in the process of re-ripping everything to FLAC using EAC with AccurateRip. I also have some hi-bitrate files obtained from the B&W Society of Sound which I would like to play, but again I've not been too impressed with the DacMagic (particularly over USB) in this regard.
Obviously the Marantz is also a relative weak point in terms of a quality source for 2-channel music. It's impressive as a home cinema receiver, but I think the 804S's deserve a better amplification source overall.
Which brings me to the Audiolab products, and this thread. I have an old Arcam FMJ DV27 which I've been using as a CD source (it has a reasonably stable transport) via coax, but was considering replacing it and the DacMagic with the Audiolab 8200CDQ. Over the course of the morning I have now revised that opinion and decided to go for the M-DAC instead - keeping the DV27 for CD transport duties only. This then gives me the future options to add a couple of 8200Ps for bi-amping the 804S's using the digital pre-amplification stage, but I will start with the source first.
So - John - if it's not too much trouble I will be PM'ing you shortly with an pre-order request for a silver M-DAC
I work in London (Marble Arch) so can easily drop into Bartlett's if that's your preferred supplier.
Secondly - and this is for all forum members as much as John - there are some additional questions I have:
1) Many members seem to have taken up your suggestion of using a USB isolator between the PC and MDAC. Two have been mentioned - OLIMEX (
http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/displayProduct.jsp?sku=1795095&CMP=e-2072-00001000) and another galvanically isolated model (
http://www.electronics-shop.dk/galvanically_usb_isolation.htm?currency=EUR). Does anyone have any suggestions as to which of these may be the better choice?
2) You mentioned some posts back that you use the ESI Juli@ sound card in the lab for testing higher sample-rate under products using the Sabre chipset. I'd like to get the best possible audio source possible from my PC, but would you recommend this as an appropriate sound card source for consumer use for 24-bit/192kHz files over coax?
3) Following on from 2), which would you choose as the preferred source for 24-bit 96kHz files - a quality sound card via coax, or USB via isolator?
Finally let me conclude by saying that this purchase decision - made without having heard or seen the product - is based not just on a single review (What HiFi) but on the reputation and character I have observed of John and Dominik. I am essentially investing in them and their product.
And I am sure it will be worth the wait!
Simon