What are some of the best one-box DACs, for the space constrained?
I know a couple of "audio journalists" have been talking about Berkeley being the best. But the latest review by the Computer Audiophile geek (I say that respectfully - as in geeks shall rule the world) confirms that the Berkeley is a product for the "transparency to source"/ analytical listener target market:
"...Based on my several hours with the Alpha DAC Reference Series 2, I can say I heard my music like never before. For example, I'm still trying to figure out what is making a certain sound on an album I've heard a hundred times, yet never heard this sound previously. On the Reference Recordings 24 bit / 176.4 kHz HRx release of Nojima Plays Liszt from Minoru Nojima (HR-25), On track one Mephisto Waltz, I hear a clicking sound in the left channel, especially present during the first three minutes of the track. I described this to a colleague as a mouse clicking sound, as if someone was surfing the Internet next to the microphones during the recording. I'm guessing this is a sound made by the piano, but I'd love to know for sure..."
Unlike the analytical listeners that listen for disparate sound artifacts and measure the quality of all gear that way, I'm interested in listening to the musical whole - instead of sonic distractions, so I can reach a meditative state and a gentle sense of euphoria, so I can lose awareness of all peripheral problems and distractions.
Anything out there that is as good or better as the well-respected multi box units out there?
I know a couple of "audio journalists" have been talking about Berkeley being the best. But the latest review by the Computer Audiophile geek (I say that respectfully - as in geeks shall rule the world) confirms that the Berkeley is a product for the "transparency to source"/ analytical listener target market:
"...Based on my several hours with the Alpha DAC Reference Series 2, I can say I heard my music like never before. For example, I'm still trying to figure out what is making a certain sound on an album I've heard a hundred times, yet never heard this sound previously. On the Reference Recordings 24 bit / 176.4 kHz HRx release of Nojima Plays Liszt from Minoru Nojima (HR-25), On track one Mephisto Waltz, I hear a clicking sound in the left channel, especially present during the first three minutes of the track. I described this to a colleague as a mouse clicking sound, as if someone was surfing the Internet next to the microphones during the recording. I'm guessing this is a sound made by the piano, but I'd love to know for sure..."
Unlike the analytical listeners that listen for disparate sound artifacts and measure the quality of all gear that way, I'm interested in listening to the musical whole - instead of sonic distractions, so I can reach a meditative state and a gentle sense of euphoria, so I can lose awareness of all peripheral problems and distractions.
Anything out there that is as good or better as the well-respected multi box units out there?