Current rig is Audiophile 2496 to Audiolab 8000s driving PSB Silver Stratus speakers. I never use my Sonic Frontiers Anthem cd player anymore but I fancy my preset standard files burned to cd-r played back on the Anthem sound better than the M-Audio card. As perhaps it should since it cost $1500 and I like the vintage tube in it. TOS 8 anyone?

So, is there a cost effective upgrade to my pc based system that will get me closer to the Anthem? I suspect the difference is the analogue output stage which would naturally be more "sophisticated" on the Anthem than the Audiophile card. I wish I could buy one of the DIY DACs Sonic Frontiers was famous for when it was a parts company, but I can't find one on a quick search. They haven't been made for years.

I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who's successfully improved the Audiophile 2496.

TIA.

Ron

Under $500 the E-MU 1212m is generally considered the best I think. There are a few options for DACs, including the CI Audio DAC and the Ack Dack. There's also a different type of device, the Squeezebox 2, which has had good reviews for its analog output. You might find you can get more out of an amp upgrade though.

Save the dollars and time[unless you just enjoy buying or making things for the mere purpose of acts therein]. Just stick to upgrading things that matter[like the speakers]. There is not [credible] proof to suggest that an expensive or special DAC is of any audible benefit for playback compared to an inexpensive common one[assuming that both systems were designed for transparency and have an inaudible noise floor, as opposed to ones designed with purposely induced distortion or frequency response differences].

Want to make real/big differences? Purchase a Behringer DCX2496 DSP equalizer/crossover unit. At first, use the parametric eq functions, and measure[using a spl meter or a software solution on your PC] and adjust the room response errors[especially low frequencies]. You will gain a big[audible] difference in sound quality. In the future, use the advanced crossover abilities of the DCX to set up a subwoofer[or preferably 2 subs, one near each speaker] and properly crossover with the speakers[as opposed to the incorrect method used by many people by allowing the main speakers to operate full range even when using a subwoofer].

-Chris

I am using a PS Audio Ultralink II with my Audiophile 2496 and am very pleased with the results. Check out Audiogon as a potential source for a good used SF Dac if that is what you want to do.

Kevin