Kevinzoe,

MH had a sale so I jumped. Since then I've added 4 channels of pre-amp so it's now half way to a UNL8.

The learning curve is steep but not impossible. It's simple to use the available templates to configure the LIO8 for basic DAC use. I have played with filters, as I experiment with the RIAA curve but haven't found the happy spot yet. Looking further out, room correction will be a challenge but that's half the fun. :)

Unfortunately, I am in California so a demo would be difficult. I can say with confidence the move to the MH LIO8 was a significant improvement over the Apogee, Benchmark and Bryston DACs I have used in the past.

gsself August 28, 2011 18:08

System edited: Integrating the MH LIO8 into the system for archival quality conversion of vinyl. Next step is eliminating the Graham Slee phono preamp and step up by using PV or MH for the RIAA curve. Future plans include adding a subwoofer with the MH as the cross-over and finally for room correction. No end in sight...

gsself August 28, 2011 17:51

Gsself - great looking gear list and nice room picture too. You are where I want to be - namely, using the LIO-8 with Apple Mac Mini as music server. When did you buy your Metric Halo as you list your price as $2995 and I think it's now closer to $4K . . ugh.

For a person comfortable on Windows and having never touched a Mac, have the Mac and LIO-8 got steep learning curves?

Are you using the LIO-8 for any kind of parametric eq or high-pass or low-pass filtering?

Lastly, you wouldn't be located near Toronto would you as I'd love to hear the system?

kevinzoe August 22, 2011 00:26