I've owned my PSB Stratus gold-i's since 1999. They have gone through various sources and amplifiers, concluding with a Lynx L22 soundcard / NAD C272 power amplifier. The L22 was used in a recording studio. I decided to sell off all my studio gear and start researching a serious Two-Channel upgrade. I've done some mixing and mastering and have always loved good music, whether a great performance, or a great technical presentation. I've also learned (the hard way) how bad mixing or mastering can ruin an otherwise good recording. This time I wanted to step back, and enjoy the benefits of everyone else's work.

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By Matt Ashland, originally published at the J River MediaCenter Interact Forum on Jun 29, 2012.

 

As a result of this thread, I contacted several manufacturers of nice audio hardware.

George Klissarov, the owner of exaSound, was one of the first to reply.  He sent me an e18 demo unit right away.  Then he worked with me on several e18 + JRiver issues, helping improve the experience for both of our users.

The e18 is an audiophile 8 channel DAC.  It competes primarily with other expensive audiophile DACs. More information here: http://www.exasound.com/e18DAC/Overview.aspx

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User Testimonial  - Craig Young

I started out on a quest for an integrated DVR/video and high-end digital-audio solution in the form of a home theatre PC (HTPC).  The audio side required 6 channels to support 5.1 surround sound movies and must be audiophile quality for my music.  It must output the analogue audio as RCA line-level to my hi-fi power-amps.

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exaSound Audio Design is proud to introduce the e18 DAC –  the first 8 channel 384kHz/32bit asynchronous USB device designed for audiophiles interested in playing DXD studio masters files.

The e18 DAC supports stereo and 8-channel modes at sampling rates up to 384kHz/32bit with remarkable bit-perfect low-jitter accuracy. The e18 delivers reference performance for high-end stereo, digital crossovers and cutting-edge audiophile multichannel applications.

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An article from www.stereophile.com By Robert Deutsch • Posted  Mar 26, 2012

Another interesting product featured in the Canada Pavilion was the exaSound e18DAC ($1999). It is, as the name implies, a DAC, but it's much more than that. Featuring a maximum 384kHz/32-bit sample rate and bit depth, it can function in stereo and 8-channel modes, and has a formidable list of technical specifications

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An article from www.soundstageglobal.com by Hans WetzelHans Wetzel 

I think I'm in the majority when I say that if I don't like the way an audio product works, I'm far more likely to bitch about it than to go and try to build something better. And yet George Klissarov has done just that. The resurgence of the DAC as a vehicle for computer-based audio has lead to a proliferation of the little converters, many of which rely on the same few chipsets.

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December 12, 2011, Toronto, Canada - exaSound Audio Design (exaSound.com) announces the official release of the e18 DAC - 8 channel 384kHz/32bit asynchronous interface [$1999].

 

e18 plays DXD 352.8 kHz master files with recording studio precision. It supports stereo or 8 channel modes at sampling rates up to 32bit/384kHz with remarkable bit-perfect low-jitter accuracy. The e18 DAC delivers reference performance for high-end stereo, digital crossovers and cutting edge audiophile multichannel applications.

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