Graham,: Approximate timing of "Big DAC"?

If you're playing from a computer / laptop / tablet, then the little USB-DAC may be of interest?

I'm using my prototype nearly every day - I find it so convenient.

Having made the analogue output to sound natural (very similar to vinyl) and with the ability to do both line out as well as headphones, I can either listen with any impedance headphone or straight into the Proprii, with a little 3.5 jack to 2x phono adapter making it possible to use the Lautus interconnects.

It's good enough to be used to tell the difference between Lautus and CuSat50 interconnects, and to develop a speaker cable (although other sources were also used).

It does a large 180 degree sound stage where the recording is that way, and distant sounds come from the back of the room.

As the power comes from the source (computer) the little DAC doesn't have the luxury of being on all the time and so it takes a few hours of use to do the usual Slee thing.

I just finished the pre-production printed circuit board design and the PCB people should be sending me some evaluation boards to arrive here tomorrow. Providing I've got my layout right we should know if it's going to sound as good as the stripboard prototype. If it does its size will be slightly larger than a credit card by around 22mm thick. We intend to sell it bundled with a 1m "Lautus" type USB cable.

To finish the product and have it ready for sale we then have to get front and rear panels made.

Other design features are: transformer driven coax (S/PDIF) out, optical (Toslink) out and a volume preset which works the computer volume control. Although intended as a simple up/down preset, it can be used as a normal 25 step attenuator, but considering the size of the USB-DAC this control is micro miniature and hidden under the USB input. If users find it easy to use, fair enough, and if so by pressing it it will mute and un-mute by pressing it again.

No need to worry about risking a purchase as they will be sent out on the loaner program.

All depends on the outcome over the next 2 or 3 days.

I'd better get busy then 

I too am in a similar position in that I need a DAC to go between my pure i20 to solo UL amp. I'm planning on buying something to keep me going until the big DAC is released, so don't want to spend too much. I been looking at Firestone Spitfire mk 1 & pro-ject DAC box fl. I need either optical or coaxial ( can of worms opening re which is best???) & powered via mains. Any suggestions greatly accepted