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For me, balanced interconnects is more about eliminating ground loop issues than audible sound differences.

Mostly agree. I don't think common mode noise rejection is a big issue for home user but better to have it than not. And not all balanced is differential.

I have ground loop issues with my current equipment and DAC. Like trying to get rid of turntable hum back in the day. Any new equipment(DAC/Preamp/Amplifier etc.) I get will be balanced. I see it as another tool to help resolve technical issues. Also, XLR jacks and plugs are mechanically better...

No balanced output.

I want room correction, multi-channel, stereo 4-way active crossover, 8 DAC output. Add more DSP!

At some point it may be better to skip the-all-in-one box and use software and an old computer or Raspberry Pi to stream.

Phono setups are very fussy traditionally. Input impedance, cartridge loading, capacitance, gain, hum etc. Good luck to anyone who thinks a built-in phono stage will satisfy all the vinyl people.

I wonder how many will use a phono input? Did they actually get that much demand for it? Or are they using the kitchen sink approach for their Ultra product? I see streaming as a tool to make digital files more convenient. I have no desire to play vinyl records over streaming. Especially new...

Who is We?

Will it be able to recognize and stream an SACD ISO image and play it natively? Same with a CD image? I prefer ripping some discs as ISO images.

Two audiophile brands that need to give you a reason to buy their expensive components. And using reviewers like Hans Beekhuyzen. What a joke. I find it hard to believe using an external box that converts USB>i2S or S/PDIF>i2S will work better than an internal Async USB solution using XMOS.

S/PDIF has to be reclocked because the send and receive clocks are different. Every DAC chip has an ASRC bult-in to handle S/PDIF. Actually AKM makes a separate ASRC chip now. Presumably to cut cost if you're using a USB receiver, because you don't need to resample. S/PDIF needs to be retired...

Inability to play DSD natively and high sample rate DSD is another problem but that's beside the point. All S/PDIF data has to be reclocked. Wiim Pro Plus is currently having an issue with S/PDIF clock differences. Async USB is currently the best DAC interface that takes care of all those issues.

For the reasons I stated. Can't play DSD 128, 256. The DAC has to use an ASRC to reclock the data. Asynch USB does everything correctly.

Doesn't playback native DSD,

That sounds too complicated and costly. I wouldn't buy a DAC that doesn't have an asynchronous USB input. And they start at like $99 or even less.

I really doubt there's an audible difference. Running i2S outside of the box could be troublesome. Different manufacturers may implement it differently since there no set of specs for external use. impedances etc. Maybe because they want to lock you into their proprietary system.

Asynchronous USB is preferable for me. I wouldn't use S/PDIF because It's sample rate limited, higher jitter and has to be reclocked. I2s is not a external interface.

IMO, the only way to do that right is with relays. And doesn't seem like that's going be in the Ultra. And If they did, everyone would be asking for both fixed and variable outputs. You may have to add your own external box if you want an analog volume control.

Will the "Ultra" version be able to stream native DSD and ISO images either internally or out to an external DAC via USB?