Quote:
Originally posted by FAUguy:
Quote:
Originally posted by slbenz:
[b]
Quote:
Originally posted by FAUguy:
[b]
quote:
Originally posted by slbenz:
Ndskurfer,

Check out my review on Epinions that compared the CIA VDA-2 with and without the VAC-1 to the Benchmark DAC1 and other DACs: http://www0.epinions.com/content_256272928388

Hope it helps.

Slbenz
Interesting review.
Which CAL Audio Labs DAC did you use (Sigma or Alpha)?
The one I had before was the Sigma-II, but found the "Upsample" on the 990 to sound better, so sold the DAC two years ago.

This week I have replaced my older B&W DM603 spekaers with the B&W 804S and HTM3S center. They are stil going through the "break in" process, but I have noticed that high-frequencies are sounding a bit too harsh when using the Upsample mode on the 990. Because of this, I have changed over to Bypass (even though it seems like there is less "detail" in doing so).

I might be interested in trying a new DAC since my new spekaers are much better quality and more revealing.

How much is the VDA-2 DAC by it self, and how much more is the upgraded VAC-1 power supply? [/b]
Sorry for the delay in replying. Haven't checked out the Outlaw forum recently. To answer your question, I think the CAL DAC my friend let me use for the comparison was a Sigma. It was about ten years old is what my friend said. The CIA VDA-2 can be purchased at $599 and the upgraded VAC-1 is a worthwhile investment. It adds more punch to bass and extends the mids and highs without any harshness. To compare the CIA combo to the 990's internal DACs is an unfair comparison and is why I always ran the 990 in bypass mode. The CIA's DACs are the very finest from TI and are found in top-end players like the $6000 Ayre SACD player. I found that having the upsampling mode on the 990 added harshness and lost some of the detail and punch to the music vs. bypassing and using the CIA DAC alone. This is to be expected especially since the CIA combo and an upgrade power cord can equal or exceed the cost of a 990. Hope this helps and sorry for the delay in response. [/b]
Thanks for the info.

Since I got my new B&W 804S speakers a few weeks back, I've been runing the 990 in Bypass mode, as the Upsample was sounding to "harsh" in the upper frequencies.

I've been debating on geting the Channal Islands VDA2/VAC1 to use with my Adcom CD charger (about 9 years old), or to replace the Adcom with a higher-end CD/SACD player (such as the Marantz SA-11S2).

Buying the VDA2/VAC1 would cost less, and I can keep the convience of a 5-disc changer. I'm just wondering how it would sound compared to the Marantz player.
I would say that is a tough call. I also own a Marantz DV-9600 which uses the same DACs as the SA-11S2. There are times I like the CIA over the Marantz and there are times I like the Marantz over the CIA. But one thing is for sure, the Marantz sounds great on SACD and DVD-A that the CIA can't play. Unfortunately, that is the best I can do for feedback. You may need to post your request on Audio Asylum or Audiogon. There are definitely people there with SA-11S2 experience and CIA experience.