I have compared the DAC 4800A to some high end tube equipment and some solid state on various speakers and the clarity and detail that I hear with thisr amp is better than I have heard with any other. On complicated Orchestra passages it delivers the punch that is needed and the instruments stand out. It also does not leave me with that hollow feeling. Somehow you have overcome the shortcomings that plague most solid state amps. I love female vocals and an acoustic guitar, Mid range and warmth. I like my lows firm but not overbearing and my highs clear and crisp. Digital and SS have always left me feeling hollow. I played the DAC4800A along side my Cary Slam100's. I started with Red Rose Music vol 1 track 6 - twenty-third psalm. The Japanese and Korean temple bells were vibrant. They hold a long single vibrating sound. The DAC produced it clear from beginning to end. I could feel Shane Cattralls lips as she spoke each syllable. Granted it is an excellent recording and you should be able to hear these sounds. But the DAC did not sound shallow or hollow or tinny. Next The Belfast Harp Orchestra playing Earth Water Wind and Fire. The clarity and separation of each note was clear. The strumming of the harps was full. Tack 5 of the McIntosh Test Disc is "Voices of Angels". I was able to separate voices in the choir and hear the finishing of words with the "tse" sound. On the David Manley recordings #8 Cantos de los Gitanos the Depth of percussion the clarity of the piano and the smoothness of the violin were evident. A violin will often sound screechy with a poor SS unit. It grates on me . Not on the DAC or the Cary's for that matter. I went on to play Diana Krall, more jazz, piano by Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, and complicated tracts by the Boston Pops and Cincinnati Orchestra and of course some Pink Floyd at loud volumes. The DAC delivered clarity to each instrument and when a punch was needed it delivered it. Side by side to my Slams I found the DAC very similar. It was clearer and slightly less warm. But it had a fullness to it that is missing from most non tube amps. The one area that the SLAMS clearly outperformed was in listening to Eva Cassidy. Eva does jazz and solo acoustic guitar incredibly well. I found on "you take my breath away" that the DAC was not as warm or engaging. Dare I say a little harsh in the vocals. But that is only because of the beautiful reproduction by the Cary's. Hard may be a better word than harsh because I still found the sound pleasing. And the difference could be that of the recording, a burned cd from my computer. After 2 weeks of side by side listening I have to say I am impressed and enjoy listening to the DAC4800A. So impressed that it is now part of my system. I will be listening to it as much as my Cary's. DAC has done a great job. If you get a chance to listen to one take it.