Cyrus DAC XP. The answer to my dreams?

[admin_exported]

Many here will know that I have been in search of the final link in my upgrade, namely a dac with an integral volume control or preamp. The Cyrus dac xp seems to do everything I require (at a price). I could mix and match with separate pre / dacs but in the end I dont think I will be satisfied unless its a one box solution.

There is also the Cyrus Pre XPd which is more pre amp and has a less highly specified DAC fitted. Lots of analogue inputs which I would be inlikely to use. Comments please. I think I would rather take the hit and get the better DAC though.

There are a few others which should be in the same league at about the same price, the Belcanto DAC3 for instance. I know Thaiman has put forward a couple of possibilities, the Fog3 for instance but they are hard to come by where I live so are essentially discounted from my list. The Benchmark DAC1 PRE keeps popping its head up but I'm not sure if it is in the same league as the Cryus, although admittedly a lot cheaper (comments / advice please). So once again....is there anything else I should consider along with the ones I have mentioned.

Thanks to everyone for their help so far.

 

[Craig M.]

from the reviews i have read, i would say the benchmark pre is way ahead of the cyrus. is the benchmark still available on 30 day home trial? another thing in the benchmarks favour, is its immunity to input jitter, something which i have read the airport express is not too good with. i'm waiting to hear what the new naim dac sounds like in my system before i decide on a new dac. the new naim dac will stream digital from an ipod as well, bypassing the internal dac, according to the naim guy at the demo i went to. not sure how it goes about it though as it appeared to be using the bog standard cable that plugs into the bottom of the ipod.

 

[Thaiman]

Ray, it is a good machine. I have only heard Benchmark once and I couldn't see why people keep on about it! So much details but too cold to get excited about (my thought).

Cyrus XP is not for the headbanger like me but I now heard it more than 10 times and each time I get that "music wash over me" feeling that normally I get from a highend. My listening note read, A tad smooth, need a bit more slam and brass/bass drum could do with more texture otherwise a bargain.