Prof...

At present, I am only using one, and it is between my CDP and the preamp. My thought is to let one settle in and get adjust to the sound change. Plus, with limited funds I am breaking in two cheap sets of RadShack gold series rca's. As I posted in another thread, I've been researching various $100 rcas and DIYs. For immediacy I bought the RadShacks. This also gives me the opportunity gauge effect of the change in cables. I'm looking forward to experimenting with the change in sonic quality as I switch out rcas. In the next week, I am going to make some rca's (design suggested by Altec).

Concerning the second...I am contemplating experimenting with it in the living room on (my ladies hand-me-down system)...a Sony digital receiver with Mirage Omnisats and a low end dvd player. I am really curious to see what influence the buffer will have there.

There has been a good amount of change to my system in the last six months. So, the next step is to get caught up in the rcas, get them broken in and then do more serious listening. Plus, I have a second analog output on the CDP which I will hook up directly to the preamp. This will give me the best opportunity to gauge any differences. However, I have to say, I've been switching back and forth between digital with up sampling and the analog with buffer. The 990's up sampling is impressive. The buffer still has a little more bass and slight more depth. There is a good decibel difference between digital bypass and analog bypass, however with the digital up sampling the sound volume matches up.

If I understand the sound paths correctly...where I place the buffer will depend on which DAC I like (the CDP or the 990.) Could be interesting to hear the buffer after the digital upsampling. I also have an older Nakamichi CDP that I would like to pass through the buffer. Lots of choices.

Prof, out of curiosity, what cd player are you using?

I hope I haven't rambled too much. I live in a small town and do not know any other audiophiles. It's fun to share the experience of sonic changes. I try and talk to some of my friends about it, but their eyes glaze over. Fortunately, my lady likes to sit with me and sample different music.

Ak