Rme makes a good one. I hear a lot of the Chinese brands are pretty good. Running a Burson Composer 3xp now and like it quite a bit. Different amp than I was using the RME with so impossible to say which one I like better. What I can say is it smokes the DAC in the Bluesound Node.
Opinions On DACs Around 1,000$
I find it hard to get a hold of the world of dacs, and I’m seeking some advice. Will be upgrading in the near future to something in the 1,000$ price range. currently running the dac in my Cambridge Audio stream magic 6 which is ok. I had a Musical Fidelity v90 that died which I preferred to the Cambridge. Anyways I’m stuck between the idea of buying an older top dac such as a Airalic Vega and newer designs like the Denafrips. I feel 1,000 doesn’t get you a lot with newer dacs. While used dacs like the Vega were 3,500$ not long ago and raved about. This is where I get confused. My previous experience with dacs has been that differences are pretty small. That’s why I’ve yet to invest in something nicer. My system has evolved nicely though and I’m optimistic I can get good returns on a bigger investment. Then I read on one of the big magazines them saying a pro-ject pre box s2 was near state of the art. These kinds of comments make me wonder again if a dac is not the best place to spend my money. I have never read a review about an amp or speakers that cost 500, and the reviewer saying they are near state of the art. Let me know what you think. Any opinions or advice will be appreciated.
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I believe the opposite. You get more with a $1000 new DAC than am older one. I have 2 DACs in that price range. - Topping D90SE very neutral and do not expect any warmth from it ($900) - Gustard X26 Pro it has more variation in sound with the filters. It is not as detailed as the Topping D90SE. It goes on sale for $1250 I cannot think of any older DAC that I would take in place of a high quality (cheap) new DAC If your system is capable, you will hear differences with DACs, but it is not going to be a huge difference since most DACs these days are awesome. My price limit for new DACs was 2K for the last little while. However, I went 'crazy' and spent $3K for the Musetec 005 DAC and it is definitely the best one I have ever had. More bass, denser sound, not bright on top., with detail. The other 2 DACs I mentioned also have most of those attributes but the degree of each is not at the level as the 005. |
I really enjoy my Schiit BiFrost 2. $700 new (plus shipping) from the manufacturer. U.S made and currently in stock so you could get it promptly. I've become very fond of the R2R/Multibit DACs versus the more common delta-sigma DACs. And, if you want to spend more, Schiit does have a couple of more expensive models. Count me a satisfied customer. |
This is one of those topics where you will get a ton of “buy what I bought” responses. Not always super helpful. I would back up and start with your room: create an accurate diagram of your listening space with accurate dimensions, windows, doors, your speaker position, your listening position, materials, sound treatments, etc. Then make an accurate list of your current gear with current and used market prices. Are you happy with your speakers, amp, pre, turntable, CD player, streamer, etc? If you had to start from scratch what would your total budget be? Do you want a lean minimal box system for streaming only? How about playing from your own digital library? Do you play records? Are you into playing with computer tech? Will other people in your home be playing your system as well? Figure this out, take your diagram and try listen to showroom systems that are in your budget. Get used to what an $$ system costs. Then audition $$$$ & $ systems above and below your budget. Only your ears will tell you where value ends and “silly money” begins. Be open to some used gear if it has a long shelf life and is reliable. You might decide to keep all your current gear or you might decide to sell it all and start from scratch? Don’t pressure yourself. Make this a fun mission: the more you listen and the more you study the better you will feel with your money expenditure. If you can try to listen to both analog and digital sources of the same music. Is there a difference? Some people love detailed perfect to their ears sound. Others find the same gear irritating and too clinical sounding. Again, only your ears matter! |
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