Thanks a bunch Edwards; this VESTA interface looks even simpler and better than the AFI1. I would like to know its street price..?

Moreover, the Weiss' web page is listing several interesting links. I like it (now in my 'Favorites').
Thanks again and enjoy your week-end.

Hi Peter and All,

A compelling new FW interface product from the very professional Swiss brand WEISS:
http://www.weiss.ch/afi1/afi1.htm

This could well be a very serious contender to your famous RME FireFace 800 (same price range about 1300€).
However, your DAC must accept AES/EBU input (or optical ADAT; which is the rarest option; only for some Pro studio units).

Cheers

Hi Peter.

As per my, not exhaustive, experience in the Hifi world the best way to achieve proper impedance matching between a DAC and the Amps is still to use a really good preamp (which also gives volume control; GREAT). The Problem is that such a world class preamp is not so easy to find even amongst the myriad of brands and, also, most of the time cost a "little fortune".
Personally, I use a Shindo Laboratory Monbrison partnered with Air Tight ATM-1 (NOS tubes).

With an excellent preamp, real fantastic BASS is usually back 

Cheers

Hi guys,

I'm a new comer onto your very interesting Forum.
Related to FireWire sound quality and chip, I've found the following info on ECHO brand website (since I'm planning to purchase an ECHO's AudioFire 4 external sound card which is a cheaper alternative than the well known RME FireFace 400 / 800).

QUOTE:
******************************************************************
3. What FireWire card do you recommend for my AudioFire?
 
We recommend more recently manufactured FireWire cards with a Texas Instruments chipset. If you are encountering problems with the built-in FireWire in your desktop or laptop, we suggest that you try a PCMCIA or ExpressCard FireWire card and disable the built-in FireWire.
 
The following FireWire chipsets have produced good results:
Texas Instruments: TSB12LV26
Texas Instruments: TSB43AB23
Texas Instruments: PTSB41LV03 (This is an older chipset and does not work well at 192K with our AudioFire 12.)
Agere: FW323-06
Agere: FW323:05

The following FireWire chipsets are not recommended:
Via: VT6306
Via: VT63061
************************************************

This ECHO AudioFire 4 output S/PDIF in coaxial-RCA connector format. It can be bus powered but also an external wall block power supply is included in the box. It works well on my personal MacBook (Intel based). My business IBM laptop has no FireWire port, so I can't really comment in this case.

Btw, is it possible to run XXHE on Intel based Mac? Or should I invest in a new personal laptop like Sony VAIO, ACER (both supporting FireWire and direct S/PDIF out - ACER only)?

Have a nice day.