Lynx Hilo

PC>JRiver (ASIO)>Lynx Hilo (DAC+Integrated Amp)>HD800 (modded)
 
Very neutral.  Smooth, analytical signature.  A bit on the bright/lean side compared to warmer ‘organic’ sounding SS amps, but still enjoyable even w/ the HD800.  Very good clarity and resolution.  Lacking a bit of ultimate blackness, still has a bit of that SS fog that most people never seem to notice anyway.  Clean, clear imaging, excellent separation.  A bit flat with its imaging making it more 2D wanting for depth.  Bass a bit lacking in body so can seem thin which might make percussive instruments like snares appear a bit brittle which could be a factor over long term listening IF you listen to a track with emphasis in this range.  Dynamically, I think the Hilo bests the XSabre and Invicta on inner dynamics even though it lacks the thickness of note they present for macrodynamics.  There’s just more transients being illuminated and correspondingly more plankton than the other two.  Very nice note articulation follows as a result.  What’s unique is the very smooth signature without reliance on added warmth or bass to cover up issues found upstream making bad stuff sound more palatable.  Kudos here considering the Benchmark DAC 1 can pierce w/ the HD800 and the Phonitor rakes you over unrefined grain making your best tracks sound like MP3s.  This is natural smoothness done right, liquid yet retaining proper texture and detail. 
 
A blacker background, richer more extended bass presence, and a better power supply to enhance the macro dynamic swings and contrasts would make this integrated unit something of a giant killer even though it’s not exactly cheap.  The only people who might be disappointed w/ this unit might prefer genres that require more bottom end or want to use the HO with really thin, bass light phones.
 
PC (USB)>JRiver (ASIO)>Lynx Hilo (DAC only via XLR to RCA cables)>Super 7 (modded)>HD800 (modded)
 
Compared to the Hilo’s integrated amp:
 
Using the Hilo as a DAC only to the Super 7, the S7 amp brings out the low end and adds to the overall harmonic richness of the original recording as it should be.  Snares, Toms, Double Bass all sound more rich and real.  Blackness is improved, and so are inner dynamics and ambient cues.  Vocals are richer, more natural sounding even though the vocals on the Hilo’s integrated amp are still quite pleasant.  While the Hilo’s amp is thinner, it’s really not problematic as it is with other amps that try to pull off this type of signature.  Even though I enjoy the more fleshed out and proper timbre of the Super7 in the mix, the Hilo’s amp section never really offended me as I’m oft to be w/ most solid state amps.
 
Things do become more extended via LO/XLR out so there could be more brightness (that’s more polite via HO) leading to fatigue if that’s an issue. 
 
Compared to the PWD mk2 via USB (non-broke/early edition):
 
Hilo has better clarity, imaging precision.  Bass still less extended and filled out.  Treble becomes more tizzy w/o the integrated amp covering it up.  Comes off a bit more plastic sounding.
 
Compared to the CD Transport>PWD mk2 via Coax (non-broke/early edition):
 
Kick drums sound like thuds, bass extension and rendering is a problem w/ the Hilo.  Still too tight and plastic sounding, giving me a bit of a headache.  Best way to describe it is the harmonics and overtones move vertically but not laterally.  So the dynamics are big on the Y-axis, but the X-axis is compressed.  Slight OR5 type effect which may be good or bad depending on your viewpoint.  Weird spa rkly sounds picked up at track transitions during quiet passages and ‘silence’ via Coax.
 
Can hear more track noise via PWD.  CD transport’s character comes through more clearly for better or worse thus intimating better transparency to source. Background still less black than Hilo and imaging less precise.  Richer overtones and decay that extend more rather than compress in the Hilo.  Better timbral dynamics and variation.  Drum sticks sound like chop sticks on the Hilo.    Purity of tone over clarity, blackness and imaging precision.  Pick your poison.  Ease and pleasure of genre/source bandwidth or brutal honesty.  Sidegrade choice between acoustic based performance versus rock, pop, etc.
 
PC (USB)+JRiver (ASIO)>Lynx Hilo (AES)>PWD mk2 (non-broke dick/early edition)>Super 7 (modded)>HD800 (modded)
 
Best of both worlds.  I really like this setup and can listen w/o a problem.  Expensive setup though. 
 
In conclusion, this is a great unit for the price and feature set.  Like it a lot. 
 
Thanks to Burn for the loaner!