I have been playing around with stuff recently, and moved back to a more simple system.
The DIY active Horns were very good, probably the best I have had, I think. One downside is that I really was not getting the best out of them for the outlay, most of my listening is at low/mid volumes and while the dynamics and unforced presentation was very good, even at low volumes I was not really using them to their potential.
I also want to cut down on the physical system size, as it was sort of taking over the living room.
For the moment, I am playing with some little Rega Alyas, after searching for another pair of R3s (and lusting after some rare R7s again) I found a pair of these locally that had a busted bass driver, now replaced.
They dont do too badly with the little Decware, I may try some more efficient speakers if I come across any I fancy, but thats not the point.
I have also got an Audio Note M-Zero-R Pre amplifier, but after some tests, I really cant hear any difference using it compared to the Decware when fed direct from the CDP.
Now I am thinking that as I put two inputs on the Zen, I could use one for the Phonostage (also on the hunt) and one for digital inputs, switched via a DAC.
Now I would loose the remote control volume that the AN Zero Pre has, but apart from that, i cant think of any advantages for keeping the Zero over that its just a handy switch box.
So my question is, looking at DACs around the ~£200 mark, whats about? I would prefer to buy second hand, possibly a Rega DAC is within reach if I am lucky and up the budget a little.
I need at least 3 inputs (PS3 via Optical and SKY+HD & CDP/DVD via Coaxial or Optical).
I currently have a Fiio D3 DAC for the PS3, works well but would rather something at least half width, sort of the Rega DAC size, I dont really like the tiny enclosures that move around with stiff cables as the Fiio DAC does, and like the little T-Amps I have had have.
Any ideas?
The DIY active Horns were very good, probably the best I have had, I think. One downside is that I really was not getting the best out of them for the outlay, most of my listening is at low/mid volumes and while the dynamics and unforced presentation was very good, even at low volumes I was not really using them to their potential.
I also want to cut down on the physical system size, as it was sort of taking over the living room.
For the moment, I am playing with some little Rega Alyas, after searching for another pair of R3s (and lusting after some rare R7s again) I found a pair of these locally that had a busted bass driver, now replaced.
They dont do too badly with the little Decware, I may try some more efficient speakers if I come across any I fancy, but thats not the point.
I have also got an Audio Note M-Zero-R Pre amplifier, but after some tests, I really cant hear any difference using it compared to the Decware when fed direct from the CDP.
Now I am thinking that as I put two inputs on the Zen, I could use one for the Phonostage (also on the hunt) and one for digital inputs, switched via a DAC.
Now I would loose the remote control volume that the AN Zero Pre has, but apart from that, i cant think of any advantages for keeping the Zero over that its just a handy switch box.
So my question is, looking at DACs around the ~£200 mark, whats about? I would prefer to buy second hand, possibly a Rega DAC is within reach if I am lucky and up the budget a little.
I need at least 3 inputs (PS3 via Optical and SKY+HD & CDP/DVD via Coaxial or Optical).
I currently have a Fiio D3 DAC for the PS3, works well but would rather something at least half width, sort of the Rega DAC size, I dont really like the tiny enclosures that move around with stiff cables as the Fiio DAC does, and like the little T-Amps I have had have.
Any ideas?
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