Advice needed: It's time for a new DAC


Hello People of Audiogon!

I received some help a little while back when I was considering upgrading my speakers so I am looking to the community again for guidance and opinions.  It is time to upgrade my DAC.  

 

My current system is Sasha DAW's driven by a Luxman L-509X.

 

The three DAC's on my short list are:

 

MSB Discrete
Berkeley Alpha V3
Chord DAVE

 

One thing to note is that I am in Canada so many brands are difficult if not impossible to audition.  

My priority is "musicality" or "soul".  What's this?  Well to me, it means feeling.  The Luxman and Sasha's well convey musical emotion and that is important to me.  I don't know how to describe it better beyond that.  They have flow (perhaps PRAT, to use another vague term).  Sounds have meat to them and texture.  The music feels real.  

 

The second priority is three dimensionality.  

 

The third is resolution.

 

My one caveat is no tube DAC's.  Tubes, for me, just don't work well based on my listening style and habits.  I love tubes, I've owned tubes and tubes are wonderful, but as things are now, I just don't want them in a DAC.  Perhaps they will find their way into my system in a pre-amp in the future.

 

I listen primarily to Tidal but MQA is not a priority for me.  I would switch to Qobuz but they were not available in Canada until recently and all my play lists in Roon are with Tidal tracks so I suspect a switch will be a real headache, but I digress. My point is MQA isn't really important and DSD isn't necessary either.  

 

Of the above DAC's, if you have heard them, what are your thoughts/opinion?  

 

Thank you in advance,

-Paul

 

 

bigfatpaulie

Hi Everyone!

I thought I would pop in and post an update on my DAC journey.  First of all, I really appreicate all the help, advice and guidance post here and that I received though PM's.  Thank you all.

 

I ended up audtioning a few DAC's.  To name a few (and this not an exhaustive list):

 

Chord DAVE

Berkely Alpha V3

MSB Premier

Bricast M1

DCS Bartok APEX

Linn Kilmax

AudioNote (ANK) Level 5

PS Audio DSD

T+A DAC200

Weiss DAC501

 

I had the majotiy of these at home, in my system for at least a few days.  

 

Long story short the DAC that won my money is the Playback Designs MPD-8.  Frankly, compaired to the rest, it wasn't even close in most cases.  My second favorite was the MSB (for quite a bit more money).  I know it will sound trite but the Playback is the most musical sounding DAC I've ever expericened.  It's smooth without being dull.  It's detailed without being clinical.  It's dymanic without being grating.  To me, it's the full-meal deal.

 

Best,

-Paul

Oh, I should also mention I upgraded my L509x to a Luxman M-10x wink

 

I've had a busy few months!

@bigfatpaulie very nice of you to pop back in and share your progress. 
That Playback Designs DAC is really nice. Enjoy!!!

I recommend a serious listen to a Meitner MA3.

A Canadian product that to my ears sounds great.

Hi @rja .  I actually did audition the MA3 at a dealer and based on that I wasn't motivated to do an in-home demo.