2. digital
  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
ddafoe
259 posts
 
I found the M3 to sound very nice in my system (Sim740P+Pass250.8+SpendorD9) but if the preferred sound is ' like the more natural sound (to my ears) of NOS R2R DACs' I personally didn't find the M3 to offer that compared to the Mystique v3; assuming the Evo is another step up from the v3 then I would question the need to upgrade the Evo to start; at least if comparing it to the M3.

Of the DACs I've tried at home I found the M3 to offer a similar sound if not more modern to the Berkeley Alpha DAC Series 2 which I tried years ago when it was the hot DAC to have.  I ended up selling it for the slightly less resolving Sim380DSD, but one I thought offered a more analog like 'meat on the bones' style of sound.   I thought the M3 took dynamics and detail to another level over the 380DSD but I personally found it offered a slightly lean presentation.

I also tried the latest version of the RME ADI and found that sound signature more inline with the M3 than the M3 is with the Mystique.

The M3's analogue out is excellent though, and when fed direct into my Pass amp came very close to with my pre (which is ~2x the M3's price) so from that perspective it is a bargain.   Add $1K at initial purchase time for the streamer and that also is a bargain, as I just paid way more than that for the M5 to mate with the v3.   So for the M3's price I think it certainly offers all around good value, I personally think it is just a question of the type of sound one is looking for...
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
@ddafoe Great information. Thanks.
fastfreight
855 posts
 
I checked out the Mojo Audio Mystique (Evo).  It look great.  But I want an optical input so that I can connect my TV Audio out to my two channel system.  At that list price the Mola Mola Tambaqui is very competitive.  Also the Tambaqui Streams as well as DAC so my Nucleus can reside in another room with near my Modem.
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
@fastfreight I believe that the lack of a toslink input option is just a website error. They had that option listed a few months ago when I checked. Ben also said he "could" put in an i2s connection, although he recommended strongly against it.
facten
2,888 posts
 
While it doesn’t show as an option in the drop down box selection, it is stated as an option in the product detail narrative

" Our Mystique EVO digital-to-analog converter converts PCM format files up to 24-bit 192KHz via Femto clocked USB, coaxial S/PDIF, or balanced AES. Optional BNC and TosLink optical available"

I have the base EVO , extremely happy with its sound and build/operation
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