My personal thanks to bce22.
A D2 was on my Christmas list. My lovely spouse purchased one, it was delayed, but arrived yesterday.
It's another OMG moment in my audio memories.
Switching from a Schiit Modi to the D2 is probably about the same as moving from a 68 Dart GTS to a Lincoln Continental. Where I found the Schiit to be very good, especially at it's price point, I had no illusions it was TOTL, or anything extremely advanced. A most excellent DAC for background or party mode, lots of punch, deep bass, almost too bright highs, especially after switching to Ti domes from Krites in my Klipsch. But I've thoroughly enjoyed that sound for over 2 years and been very content.
Enter the D2. Win 8.1 picked up the D2 immediately. I had to change JRiver from ASIO to WASAPI, but from the first song, I can tell it is a much smoother sound signature. Highs are a bit more laid back, if you will, bass has changed slightly as well. Midrange, voices, have been impacted the most. Studio recordings, (Brooks and Dunn, Ain't No Way To Go), leaves me thinking Ronnie Dunn is standing in my room. Switching to a live recording, (Seger, Live Bullet, Turn the Page) and it sounds deep, like the room is 10 times it's actual size. Very impressive.
I know it will burn in some, by all accounts here, it gets better with time. I have a Tesla 6cc42 tube on it's way from Czechoslovakia, and will give that a try. But, out of the gate, I don't know if I can be much more impressed. I've bought things much more expensive than this that have not performed as well. A winner winner, chicken dinner.