Mike and I compared this DAC to his Oracle DAC1000 last Friday. We used Mike's Oracle transport and Black Cat Veloce digital interconnect, DNA500 and Aerial10s. Both DAC piped directly to the amp, with Oracle using its own analog IC volume attenuator chip and the Buffalo using its internal 32 bit digital volume control. The DAC1000 is also a preamp, so it has extra voltage to spare, but the Buffalo transformer was over the halfway mark with lowish volume levels. Low sensitivity speakers with an amp that needs 2V to play loud might want more voltage. I think Mike used my SC3 ICs for both DACs.
The Oracle DAC had a little less resolution than the Buffalo, but denser tone which I expected, because line transformers don't usually fatten things the way a active circuit can. But the transformer had a more realistic, natural tone. The Oracle has an excitement which is fun to listen on all kinds of music. I think the transformer might have been slightly more microdynamic, but we did not calibrate volume levels so that's hard to tell except for feel. We did not try the Buffalo through the DAC1000 as preamp, but that would have made them sound more alike, and fattened up the transformer sound. I was thrilled that my DAC was able to stand next to it without being embarrassed.
I have an older Twisted Pear Legato discreet active output stage kit on hand, and plan to also try a 6n6p tube/transformer output when funds allow. But with my 95dB speakers the DAC is more than enough for me, and I like the transformer's seemingly unlimited detail and perfectly natural tone. With the regulators the bass is full and powerful, no thinness, so it is a nice combination.
Thanks for the visit Mike.