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Best DAC for pcm files

Hi,

I know i am not super top with my question because all discussion turn around the DSD but i have more than 3500 songs in pcm (apple loss less), and i am confortable with the pcm format.

So my question here is pretty simple, i looking for the best dac for pcm audio file format (please don't say DCS it's out of my budget). I want spend around 2500/3000 usd on the used market. Example : weiss 202, berkley aplha dac 2, etc.....

Do you have any recommandation?
georgelfre
intermediatic's avatar
intermediatic
72 posts
 
Ayre Codex, which also does up to at least 384. Just phenomenal. 
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Overdrive SE. Won a shootout here on Audiogon.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/absolute-top-tier-dac-for-standard-res-redbook-cd

There is one that can be updated to SE on sale at audiocircle.com trading post-digital/sources

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=138238.0

The SE beats much more expensive DACs, in the 15K+ range.

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

I wouldn’t say won, This is the AudioStream comparison to the MSB R2R Ladder Multibit chipped dac, make you own mind up on this quote

" Comparisons with Other DACs
The MSB Technology Analog DAC at $6995 welcomes comparison with the $5999 Overdrive SE. These two DACs sound quite different from each other. The Analog DAC is bigger sounding with a less forward presence to its sound. The Overdrive SE is faster sounding, particularly in the low end. The Analog DAC has a more “relaxed sound” overall compared to the Overdrive SE."


Cheers George



audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Won means:  Overdrive SE is the DAC that the auditioner stayed with and still uses.
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