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Best DAC / Budget

I think this is a gain issue between my analog and digital sides - but I just don't know enough
I hit a wall with the digital side yesterday
I generally listen on the lower side of listening levels
Yesterday I came home and decided to see what this rig could do and put it through it's paces on both the analog and digital side.
I'm playing vinyl on a Nottingham 294 space deck with a 12" tone arm and a Lyra Delos cart - through a EAR 843 tube phono stage - line input on a Rogue Cronus Mark I - KT120 tubes - bypassing the Rogue phono stage.  It sounds just completely glorious. I'm very happy with it.
Digital is a different problem. I've always understood this gear was meant as place holders - they got the ball rolling.
I'm streaming from Tidal, through a Pro-Ject Stream Box Ultra 2 (ethernet cat 6 hard wired to a router), through  a gifted Schitt Mano 2 DAC.

The Problem:
Analog completely surpasses the digital in every way
Digital - turning up the volume (to very high levels) only seems to result in filling in the low register and not actually increasing the volume.
I'm fully aware I am comparing a DAC to a Deck which costs many times more.

Looking for recommendations for a separate stand alone DAC which complements the analog side and for an idea of budget.
Thanks everyone







smaarch1
oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948
501 posts
 
The Audio Mirror is too laid back.
I'm not sure what laid back means, but like any piece of gear, the sound depends on everything in your system.  

In my system, the Audio Mirror Tubadour lll SE sounded great.  At the time, I had a Herron VTSP-3A (R02) pre amp and NAD M22v2 power amp with an Innous Zenith MKII streamer.  I was quite happy with that combination.

I decided to upgrade to a full PS Audio stack (BHK pre amp and BHK 250 power amp), and replaced the Tubadour with a DirectStream DAC (DSD).  With the PS Audio stack, the DSD sounds more "analog like" than the Tubadour. 

OP, having said that, the Tubadour is a fine DAC.  If you are not in a hurry, I recommend you call Vlad and test drive one in your system.
jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller
1,414 posts
 
@smaarch1,  I too had this problem.  I'm pretty sure I posted a few years back about getting my digital side to be as enjoyable as my analog side.  Like you, I had a tube integrated, but I still didn't feel things sounded compelling enough or full enough.  

The good news is, in my humble opinion, I think it is possible. I tried a number of DACs, other devices to address jitter, etc, and ultimately landed on a Doge 7 tube DAC.  The price has gone up due to trade policy.  I think I paid about $1300 shipped, yet they might be near $1600 now.  The internal components and build are something for the money.  If you ever need service, Doge has US based third party repair places to help.  I haven't needed service--just thought you might want to know that. 

I highly recommend it. And I don't love everything I buy.  I wish it was that easy!   I have found that the Doge is the digital equivalent (in my system) of my phono pre (Manley Chinook).  I hope you can find yours!  

There are great recommendations here.  Do your research and enjoy the journey.  

assetmgrsc
58 posts
 
Your DAC cost $99, what do you expect?  Schitt Audio makes much better; like the $899 Gungnir.  You get good flexibility from a great designer, a fair price and a chance to try it out for 15 days before committing to buy. Oh yeah; it's made in the USA. I have heard it and it deserves a try out.
Good luck
smaarch1 OP
95 posts
 
Great recommendations everyone and  thanks.

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