Advice on a budget R2R DAC
@alaindexe https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649678453-nos-r2r-dacs-x3-metrum-and-mhdt/ nos r2r, no tubes, meets your spec ... have this and 3-4 years of paid-for streaming within your stated budget !! 😇 |
@alaindexe With your restated budget of $1.2k, you have a good chance of securing a nice unit. If you'd consider something like @jjss49 suggested, Metrum Acc, or others used (second hand) for less than half the cost, you could wind up with a really nice DAC that way too. If you buy it right 2nd hand and don't like it, the really good units can be easier to resale later if you want to upgrade again for some reason. Not required, but one reason some are also suggesting a "tube" DAC is you can further fine tune the sound if you want to make it ever smoother or more laid back -or- more detailed, transparent, or more forward sounding - with the change of a low cost tube. There are several other "DAC" threads on Agon to study as well. As you are, It's worth hunting the right DAC for yourself and your particular system. A good DAC can help you to further appreciate your Sugden amp and Altec speakers even more. Good Luck. |
Here’s my final contenders list, in no particular order : - Metrum : Menuet or Onyx, although the later will probably break my budget; - Holo Audio Spring; - Mojo Audio Mystique V2 (those are very rare in Canada, so I probably won’t be able to get one); - Soekris dac 1421 (same comment as for the Mojo Audio); - Denafrips Ares II (these sell like hot cakes... one was put on sale last night and was sold this morning!) @decooney : yes, I hope I’ll end up with something that suit my taste... as for the tube, I never shut my system so that would be a waste... @jjss49 : I have a hard time believing that the Octave can compete the others here, but I could be wrong... since I don’t use a streaming service, I rather put that money where it counts... ;) |
op @jjss49 : I have a hard time believing that the Octave can compete the others here, but I could be wrong... since I don’t use a streaming service, I rather put that money where it counts... ;) haha it does and then some... i sold the dena ares 2, kept the octave, the metrum produces highs more naturally to my ears and has a more textured midrange (into hegel h390 driving proac response d30r) - that lil octave put cees j and metrum on the map... the transient modules are no joke. but of course, ymmv... hope you find something you like... |
