T+A DAC 200 or WEISS 501


Who will take what if given an opportunity lets take a vote.

128x128jasbirnandra

My choice would be neither because they both have pre-amps and the Weiss has a renderer, I would choose a pure DAC without anything else.

The reasons to choose the Weiss against the T200 come down to size and it's 4ch processing which I believe can be configured as a Hi & Low crossover.

It hosts a plethora of algos that are going to make your digital syrupy and completely coloured and untrue to the recording. Great if that's how you roll.

Beware it comes in MK1 & MK2 versions MK1 uses a really old ESS chip whilst the MK2 uses the ESS 9038 Pro. Previous top ESS chip, current is 9039 Pro.

I haven't heard the T200 so I will reserve judgement but it lacks appeal because it's not a pure DAC.

@lordmelton I do not need a pre amp feature because of the integrated amp I use II do need a pure DAC only but am not sure what  should choose for a transparent and dense musical bliss.

@jasbirnandra The T200 comes very highly recommend by many here as the best value DAC under $15k.

Much depends on your system of course and you need a demo.

@lordmelton there is no way to demo one in india 

I have to buy blind and my setup is pilium Leonidas integrated amp with lumin U2 mini and currently Canary DAC which I think is the bottleneck

The DAC 200 can be set as a pure DAC as its volume control can be set to a line level output. I have demoed both and prefer the DAC 200, but take that as you will as I am a T+A dealer. 

The DAC 200 has a wider bandwidth resulting in a wider, deeper soundstage. It is also a bit more organic and revealing in character. The 501 becomes more worth it if you take advantage of its room correction capabilities, but sometimes it as a bit more of a sterile sonic signature, obviously sucking some of the color that your room adds to the final result. I have typically shied away from DSP room correction because of this.