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DAC Dilemma

I will (probably foolishly) put my decision before you all and see if I get any informed opinions, or if I just get scoffed at. I have been at this hobby many years, but must admit to not having the sophistication that many of you do. To those of you that are DAC experts. I have read, and it is my understanding that DAC technology has progressed to the point that 1) new "entry level" DAC’s blow away earlier generation DACs that originally cost much more, and 2) the difference between most current DACs as far as sound quality is pretty subtle. I have an Aurender N100H (which is going to stay) with a PS Audio DirectStream DAC (Not the $6K version. The $3K version with no bridge) feeding into an Audio Research SP16 tubed preamp into a high end solid state amp. Should I 1) just keep what I have (yes, it sounds good, but it could always be better) 2) replace the PS Audio with an Audio Research DAC7 that is about 11 years old but very well reviewed in it’s day, or 3) sell the PS Audio and the Audio Research SP16 and replace both with a Benchmark DAC3 HGC. The Benchmark would give me a current Class A DAC along with multiple inputs for digital, and two inputs for both of my turntables, thus eliminating the need for a separate preamp. But, would the Benchmark SOUND better than either the PS Audio DAC or the DAC7? I am very much aware that the DAC's mentioned above address the actual digital to analogue conversion in very different ways which is precisely why I'm asking which one you think gives the best (natural, uncolored, transparent) sound. Opinions please.
128x128pascon
kennyc
1,544 posts
 
@pascon
If you like a warmer sound perhaps the $3k EVO 100 Tube DAC.  It got many positive reviews and I believe it's a solid choice at it's price point.

I concur that the ~$5k HoloAudio – May DAC may be the best at it's price point, punching above it's price point.

audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 
Honestly, the Border Patrol Dac is all you need....once you hear one, you will be hooked. Forget about all the hi-res non sense...this dac sounds analog...r2r, no filtering, tubed power supply. 
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 
Honestly, the Border Patrol Dac is all you need....once you hear one, you will be hooked. Forget about all the hi-res non sense...this dac sounds analog...r2r, no filtering, tubed power supply.


one person’s opinion above

mine is rather different, the pursuit is to find something better in our systems and take/enjoy the journey towards that end... have cake and eat it too, so to speak

the b-p dac was in my system for about a month, i moved on... other dacs at the same price level surpassed it in ’analog-ness’ AND detail/transparency/air...
lewm
13,162 posts
 
Pascon, I guess you’re saying that euphonic makes you feel euphoric. 
You digital guys get along much better than we analog guys. I have rarely if ever seen such a consensus of opinion on the Analog Forum.
petaluman
159 posts
 
The DAC is the boundary between the digital and analog domains.  The digital side has continued to change rapidly because they can generate measurable "improvements" by increasing bit depth or sampling rate.  They can math out novel methods of resolution enhancement like HDCD and MQA.  Whether or not these result in audible improvements to the listener, they may need to upgrade if their method of music software acquisition delivers new file formats that their DAC cannot process.
The analog side is traditional audio ground - gain stages, power supply quality, impedance matching, grounding - the stuff where ARC figures to be aces.  Lastly, the DAC has to manage the interaction between these 2 e-streams.
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