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best DAC' choice between $1K-$2K?

Its time for me to plan my annual upgrade splurge and this year the target area is DAC replacement. The DAC I use now is the PS Audio DLink III, its powerfull, detailed, but computer audio is showing the DAC's weaknesses with a design based on 2006 digital technology.

Looking for a musical sounding DAC...I can deal with tonal balance variances and dynamics that aren't spot on but a piece of gear that distorts overtones, doesn't have correct time decay and struggles with digital defects will have me moving on within 5 minutes of listening.

I've seen good things on the Metrum Octave but its lacking in design features like a headphone section and 192khz support. Bel Canto seemed popular at the DC Audio show and is recent enough in design to have longevity.

Wondering what in the new purchase market folks think is the class champ between $1K-$2K for a DAC with 192K support, headphone output, volume control for direct to amp and the most natural sound. I have a quality asynch to USB converter so that feature is of minimal importance to me.

The new Oppo 105 looks like an interesting alternative but I doubt its competitive against a DAC in this range and I've seen no serious reviews yet to compare against other known good gear.
128x128davide256
budt
157 posts
 
Dne

I hope your opinion is more balanced than your previous opinion on the Benchmark Dac1. You couldn't stand even the very slightest criticism of that dac. How can we now believe anything you have to say about the Benchmark Dac2? Just saying...
budt
157 posts
 
Dne

I hope your opinion is more balanced than your previous opinion on the Benchmark Dac1. You couldn't stand even the very slightest criticism of that dac. How can we now believe anything you have to say about the Benchmark Dac2? Just saying...
dne
141 posts
 
That was my opinion, and also those of many many others, of the DAC1 at that time. The DAC2 is better. Whether you choose to believe anything is up to you.
chrissain
470 posts
 
I have compared the bechmarks to the bel cantos many times, while the benchmarks are good for the money, belcanto is significantly better, but for a higher cost.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
The Benchmark DAC 1 was one of the worst sound DAC's I ever heard. It always sounded very dry, strindgent and metallic. There was no warmth or fullness to that DAC at all.

I loved the Bryston BDA-1, I'm sure their new version will be great. The Wyred DAC2 was excellent as well. I would have to say my favorite was probably the MHDT Labs Havana. It was the most musical.

I also like the Berkley Alpha Dac1, but for the money I thought the Bryston was better, especially all around.
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