DAC’s


Hello, curious on everyone’s thoughts. I’m still building my system. I came across a really good deal on a Meitner MA3 dac. It’s from an authorized dealer and they offered to sell me one NIB for 7k. I have read and read about dacs and I am getting tired. Haha. I really like the Denafrips Terminator 2, Holo and the lumin T3 being the cheapest of them all. Once I factor in a streamer I am already close or over the 7k. Also I don’t need a dac for anything other then just streaming. Thank you 

shtr74sims

@jerryg123 :

…..paid my taxes. I will spend my money as I see fit.

Yup! That’s sums it all up. You owe nothing to anyone 

 

Social priorities.

I had pulled up to a huge intersection with red light (six lanes plus turning lanes - so 10 across) on my bicycle in the left turn lane (as appropriate). No other car anywhere in site except one that pulled up two lanes to my right. This guy starts yelling “get off my f**king road, I pay taxes… you pr**k… etc. you looser.

I had paid over $140,000 in just federal taxes that year. Without question many times what he could possibly paid. The most clueless, tend to attack others.

My 2 cents. I recently bought,  at a great deal, the Meitner MA-1 DAC. Love it!!! It is just a DAC. Sounds GREAT.  I do not use a streamer. I have a Windows 10 based computer attached directly to the DAC, also connected via an Ethernet cable.  I currently stream Qobuz and also use  a Rs2T Project transport, with a LTA  Linear power supply, which also runs through the Meitner DAC, Incredible, ask Charles one Dad who has commented earlier.  I can't speak for the newest MA-3, but,, I'm sure it's top shelf. Meitner and EMM labs are at the top. If you can find an MA-1, Great. Then decide what streamer, if necessary you may prefer. Just my 2 cents. Robert TN

Those who say DACs don’t matter, zeroes and ones, I want to smoke what you are smoking. Or have tin ears. Or never listened to music. I would have saved myself a lot of money.

I do admit to liking vinyl, and with digital needing all the cords, power conditioners, etc. which the “everything makes a difference” crowd spruiks… that is one reason I prefer vinyl. It is a TT, Cart, phono stage and preamp.

I do not generally find streaming more than just easy listening.

 

It’s like those guys with a Chromecast Audio as a “DAC” who bitch about Analog sounding so much better than their Digital. Well… no shit.

OK…
We have suggestions of:

  • $100 dongle 
  • $1-2k DAC
  • $7k DAC
  • $20k + DACS

I do not think it is dishonourable for the OP to try and listen to that DAC before jumping in.

 

The MSRP of my DAC is $20,000. Esoteric N-01XD. Or it was when I bought it a couple of years ago.

 

Is this too bad? Can I be “saved”? 

You probably cannot be saved, but let’s assume that the OP got to listen to the DAC they are considering, and also your $20K one.

If there was a difference, then the $7k would also probably not be a good deal, if it is a temporary thing, and they could be better off just getting the $20k DAC.

I doubt that whatever amount it is, then one can argue that they should have spent more or less.. and especially so if they cannot hear a difference.

 

@richardmathes 

While I find it hard to judge much of a difference between a $10k DAC, $2k DAC or a $100 dongle… I am not sure I am going to be any better at judging people’s motivations and what they should be optimally doing with their money.

 

$10,000 for a DAC? Someone's priorities, i.e., the important ones, the social ones, are out of whack.

i suppose ”good for you to point out that there are options,” but:

  • Which social issues in particular?
  • And can $10k solve these social issues?
  • And is it the OP’s responsibility to solve them?