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  3. 162029-21

DAC Choices - $5,000 to $7,000

What are the current top DAC choices in the approximately $5-$7K price range (new or used) that I should look at as possible upgrades to my current Metrum Adagio?  Having an on-board volume control is not a factor as I can operate my system either way.   If I wanted to spend more I would look at Totaldac, Rockna Wavedream Signature, or one of the other top-end contenders, but I selected the price range to achieve a sound quality that is consistent with the rest of my system and because I don't want to spend more due to the still evolving nature of digital technology.  I do like the more natural sound (to my ears) of NOS R2R DACs.  So far, I have considered the three below, but none seem to be a slam-dunk upgrade from the Adagio, which still sounds pretty good in my system.  The decision is complicated by having to "buy to try" so that I can hear one in my system.  Maybe now is not the time for an upgrade.  Any thoughts?

  • Denafrips Terminator w/DSP board - Reportedly has the full body/dense tone type of sound I like, but also has a high'ish output impedance 
  • Holo May KTE - Reportedly measures great for an R2R DAC and has strong reviews 
  • Rockna Wavelight - Some reviewers like it but others put it in the middle of the pack for the price
mitch2
jgoldrick's avatar
jgoldrick
138 posts
 
@mitch2 The buying experience went well.  I used paypal.  Vincent sent me a link to pay.  Took about 3 weeks to get?  Around that, pretty quick all in all.  My Salk speakers took just under 6 months, so I was prepared to wait some.
Vincent has answered any questions I have had (not many) within one business day and I have not had any reason for support. 
I haven't even tried the USB output yet as I have a Singxer SU-1 KTE edition that I use with AES. But I did get the USB cable.  Someday I will try it.
I figure, like you mentioned, I can get this now, then upgrade later for the difference in model costs plus the $350 fee.  $6k ain't no chicken feed to me, so maybe in a few years when I get the itch again I can swing $3k to upgrade to a higher model and any software updates.
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
An agon audio acquaintance of mine just bought a new MOJO Evo.  I think after we've both had our units for a couple months we're going to do a temporary swap. Will allow both of us to compare the Evo and Holo Mays in our systems. Should be informative.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,464 posts
 
@cal3713 Is your acquaintance in the northern MN area?   
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
And perhaps out of your range, but if you're really thinking about Totaldac, there's an ad up for a d1-7 on the devialet chat sales page. It's an old ad from a dealer (I searched the username to see if it was legit), but is still available for ~€8000. I looked into it and even contacted the seller, but got scared off by the ASR TD measurements. I don't agree with their raw measurement perspective, but some of the TD outcomes were really troublesome.
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
@grannyring You got it!  Should have known we were both talking about the same person. I forgot about him mentioning the Sonnet.
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