Comments on Profile Post by Maven86

Though sometimes I wonder if asking for a TDA1541 with normal staging and great resolution, is like wanting the perks of a crazy bitch without the daddy issues.

I like the idea of the grounding post. Output transformers not so much, but maybe it can nice and smooth sounding.

I think the stock outputs are cap coupled. You actually have to pay extra for the transformers.

I had an older iteration (S2, maybe?) with output transformers. Can't say I compared it to a cap-coupled unit, but I don't think the OPTs held it back necessarily. I wouldn't worry too much either way.

Definitely one of the best TDA1541-based, non-oversampling DACs out there, based on my understanding. But I don't think it will necessarily change anyone's mind if they don't like that sort of sound.

Alternatively, if you're able to find a used Metrum Pavane or Adagio at a good price and you plan to use XLR outputs, those are probably an even better way to spend your money.

I haven't spent too much time with the Metrum stuff but I briefly had a Morpheus. Not sure how it compares to a Pavane but I strongly preferred my A2. It wasn't bad overall, just a bit too polite for me.

Save for the Abbas 4.1SE, which has been great but not too reliable. I haven't heard a NOS DAC that I've been crazy about. That being said, I've heard enough qualities that I've liked in the best ones, to keep searching for something that may fit.