I know this thread may be dead, but I'm not sure where else to post. I have now used the EXT Ref with my Brinkmann Nyquist mk2 and recently installed the EXT 1 in front of it. These products are just amazing me in how they shape the music. They make digital much more like analog than digital. There is just zero hash on top and the bass is rock solid. There is the correct overhang of notes which most digital doesn't do properly (is that part of the jitter?).
My buddy has the top Vandersteen set up with a pair of Vandersten 7 mk 2 and the large Vandersteen subs integrated. He has the newest DCS Rossini DAC with external clock and it's the APEX version. I talked him into trying the EXT Ref and Ref +. He spoke with John and was sent the Ref+ to try. It never make it back to Oregon. He is blown away. this guy is the same guy who told me that his digital is so good, that it couldn't get better. It has and in all the right way. He is an analog guy first. He has an amazing rig set up. Vandersteen speakers are time and phase correct (I'm not sure if any other speakers on the market are truly time and phase correct, but live music is. It's probably one of the major reason's I love the Vandersteen line. That said, my friend has upgraded all his power cords and interconnect's to the top Audioquest Hurricane to Dragon. As you can see it's a high end system
He called me when he installed the Ref+. He was in shock as I told him that at our level of digital, using the EXT 2 at min, is a MUST. Adding the Ref unit took my digital up a few notches. It is NOT incremental as nearly all upgrades are. He said that using the Ref+ is just another world of digital audio. He is playing his digital much more than analog. That says it all to me.
I am trying to set up the streamer now as I want to put it against mine. I don't use the internal steamer of the Nyquist as I have a very high end streamer/server. Matt Clott of TAS and one other pub also has my unit and said it's just a hair behind his new Taiko that he reviewed. I'd die to own one, but it's 30k plus. I will report back on how the W2 server mk2 sounds vs my The Memory Player by Laufer Techniques. (Sam Laufer is a dear friend and lives close by. He said he's bringing over his brand new server/streamer in the next couple of weeks to play with. It's an all new design and built in a stunning new case that's milled by a local shop here in CT. I think you can even get it anodized in any color you want, but that's a story for another day, lol.
Sorry to drone on, but if anyone has questions, but get in touch and ask away. I"m pretty much an open book and highly opinionated. I get out a lot and hear a ton of gear, so I have a decent idea how good a product is or can be if set up correctly. Enjoy your music.