Here is my subjective opinion of the Audiopraise VanityPro for what it's worth. I use a HTPC with Jriver and Roon. with Dirac live, into three Theta Gen VIII dacs. So far, I have used the Minidsp UDIO-8 and Lynx Aes16e to get digital out of the PC for multi-channel. I also have a Tascam UH7000 microphone preamp with a custom linear supply that also serves as a USB to AES/EBU converter. Lastly, I have a Berkeley Alpha USB.
The Udio-8, Lynx Aes16e, and Tascam largely sound the same. Maybe the Tascam is a little better but I'm not sure. The Berkeley Alpha is clearly superior to all of these. It's not a "reach." It's easy to hear. The audio gets much cleaner and clearer with the Berkeley USB. However, this has caused me anguish because I want a multi-channel interface that does as well as the Berkeley.
Ok, back to the Audiopraise VanityPro. I hooked it up to my Panasonic Blu-ray player to take a listen. I expected this to be the better case scenario than audio out of my PC. However, the sound was about the same as the Lynx AES16e and Udio-8. I fiddled with Jriver and Roon. But as I was using my Theta Casaablana 3HD as it connects to my display, there seem to be a problem with the proper sampling rate. It was always at 48Hz which the older Casablanca which is the rate at which the older processor runs. I disconnected the Casablanca and ran HDMI out of HTPC with Jriver into the VanityPro and the HDMI out into my Samsung TV. Then everything "clicked" into place. 16/44Hz stuff and 24/96Hz stuff all played at proper rate. After this for whatever reasons, the sound greatly improved. I actually wondered if it was as good as the Berkeley Alpha USB! I was/am very happy with the sound. Some level matched switching still had me favoring the Berkeley. If I had to give a grade. I'd give the Minidsp UDIO-8, Lynx AES16e, and Tascam UH7000 a C for audio. I would give the VanityPRO when able to play back at the sampling rate as the source material an A and the Berkeley USB an A+. Someone, finally for me, made HDMI capable of true high fidelity.
I have for about 20 years purchased various prepros and experimented with different methods to try and get multi-channel to have as much fidelity as what I get with two channel audio gear. I've thrown a lot of money at it with stand-alone dacs, monoblocks for front three channels, you name it. I just never have been able to reach satisfaction. But Audiopraise, with the caveat that the input sampling rate matches the source material actual rate, does it.
I would like to make a note on the sample rate observation. Typically, I don't notice that much difference when audio is sampled to other rates than what is on the disc. This case was very unique. I don't know what role my older processor had. My guess is that Jriver read the Casablanca as a 48hz device and sent audio at that rate to the VanityPro. This is my subjective opinions for what they are worth. I realize this is the wrong forum to give any kind of subjective opinions but for those who walk the line like myself between the subjective and objective, I hope my opinion helps. Audiopraise produced a unique device that delivers on it's promise.
That is why most companies skip the HDMI ports on their otherwise very advanced DACs (look at All Chinese DAC manufacturers, miniDSP and many others).
