How much does DAC ‘Reality’ cost in 2017?

Not sure what everyone’s "reality" is, but there are sure a lot of low cost DAC units out there right now that really kick ass. I have the Schitt Yggrasil and like it a ton. But recently I spent less than a grand on a killer Tubed DAC/ PREAMP from Musical Paradise. It has switchable 6 and 12 volt tube design for main circuits and the rectifier circuit is also pure tube driven for 5 and 6.3 volt tubes. A tube rollers dream (or nightmare depending how you look at it). The caps are also replaceable without soldering as the leads are held done with screwdowns. Anyway, using a set of NOS Telefunken E88cc the sound out of this thing in native DSD is stunning. I’ve had a couple other DAC units in the 2k and 3k range and I keep going back to this MP D3. My reality isn’t always to just keep spending more money. Lots of great designs out there without having to take out a 2nd mortgage.

Have had a number of DAC's. Very good and very expensive ones. My landing point is the Bricasti M1. I have loaded all my CD's on my Melco N1 library/player. Dumped my JRiver- computer. So much easier. The Bricasti is very refined and very musical. You might not enjoy it as much if your speakers are veiled and not transparent. The M1 thrives on a really good system that is transparent, fast. If you enjoy all the subtle nuances of music, it is for you. 

The challenge for us audiophiles is to find components that match our systems synergy.

Spending more money on one single component doesn't necessarily elevate your system's performance.

There are lots of very good DACs out there. Some ridiculously expensive, some even almost affordable. The trick is to find the one that matches the rest of your system.

gkr7007 > there are sure a lot of low cost DAC units out there right now that really kick…

blindjim > the ongoing caveat for superlatives in this hobby is the inherently subjective content.
Reality can be spun to mean personal preffs, although when a mandolin sounds like a mandolin is playing the room but isn’t visible, I’d say that is reality. Likewise for all the other instruments including voice.

Being able to discern which ‘mandolin’, piano, or guitar is being played… without looking at the album notes or pics, now that thar is true reality. Kind of Twlight Zone reality, but real nonetheless.

I’m very happy settling for knowing what instrument is what , not necessarily ‘which’ piano is being played by brand and model. Sheesh. I’d go crazier. Although it might come in handy with Power ball choices. lol

Yes. You are right thankfully. More less costly over achieving DACs are available today than in past years. There always seems to be a few very high value performers in most categories. It sure helps anyone who is restless or is looking to actually upgrade their outfit rather than to simply swap in and out ‘different’ sounding pieces.

I’m very likely going to move ahead in one of these less costly choices initially.


Soundsrealaudio > My landing point is the Bricasti M1. I have loaded all my CD's on my Melco N1 library/player.

Blidnjim > Congrats!!!
Neutral, quick, transparent speakers is the supposed objective, isn’t it?


Nordicnorm > The challenge for us audiophiles is to find components that match our systems synergy. The trick is to find the one that matches the rest of your system.

Blindjim > I appreciate the thoughtful insights. Thanks much. But let’s agree to disagree philosophically on what actually is synergy and the priority a source device should be held too.

Although one doesn’t ALWAYS find more expensive items have as well commensurate performance, it is usually the case that they do more often than not.

I totally feel and fully believe the ‘source’ is the whole shooting match. Numero uno priority! In my system as per certain preffs and constraints, the digital conversion is it for me. Period and paragraph. No tone arms no more. Possibly tuners and tape decks, maybe.

If a source, or DAC in this instance does not provide every ounce of musical information available, and demonstrate it in a manner which displays a refinement resembling truth and propriety, the downstream result often finds itself less than convincing regardless how great the rest of the arrangement.

Secondly nothing downstream from a source unit, in spite of what it may be, can ever make up for what is not there to begin with, although downstream components are most capable of detracting from the purity of the signal if not managed thoughtfully.

Synergy’ is a result not an approach. It is as well, a subjective appraisal. It might be a consensus of many opinions, yet in all it remains subjectively arrived.

It is why I felt the topic here of ‘reality’ should always be the common denominator for affecting a stereo system.

The term ‘synergy all too often is the result of previous and regular intentioned compensations.
1. that thing is sort of bright, so another less bright thing comes in to compensate somewhere else.
2. This tweeter is too strident it should be run with tubes in the mix.
3. That speaker is too analytical and too detailed so use a PP tube amp on it.
4. Glorious sound extremely lush, but not very honest.
5. Gee, that rig sounds like it has too much of a good thing going on.

Why do any of these things? If… IF… the items we buy are well balanced, high quality devices that deliver the truth in the first place, why then worry later about what goes into the system thereafter?

An all too general note would be it ain’t a perfect world.

An accurate, real, tangible thought could be some things are better made than others. Another tact is some things dictate certain considerations if you want to have them in a system and they usually tell you this tid bit beforehand.
Works best bi amped, or tri amped.
Needs more power.
Wont’ do well in a large room.
Is better suited to ???
Isn’t going to give you that bottom octave.

If reality remains the target all along, how do you ever miss the destination?

Again, if we chose things which demand various considerations, it ain’t their fault its ours, and our duty to placate or attend to those outlined or implied restrictions are duties we foist upon ourselves by making poor decisions.

A huge diff in 2017 is a DAC now must take on more responsibilities than ever before. They aint just here to make CDPs sound better any longer. Much more is being shoveled onto their plates and new tech is saying we need to refine what we are transmitting to these new age DACs as well. Some current DACs attempt to eradicate the need for a preamp completely.

At the end of the day, only one opinion matters and that’s the one paying the cost to be the boss.

@blindjim  This and your other threads are thoughtful journeys and I enjoy reading them as well as the comments from the other posters. It's educational  and adds valuable insights for me.

What I will say next is sincere.

If it's only about one's opinion, which you state "only one opinion matters" ...why go through this exercise?

I submit that opinions do matter, which is why we search them out in this forum and in others as well.