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What is the best DAC under $3000

I am looking to upgrade my Sony CDP-XA7ES cd player. I have a couple of options for a transport and haven't tried any ooutboard DAC's for years. Last one I had was a Theta Pro Basic IIIA. Not familiar with any of the modern day digital. Any help would be much appreciated.
sparky45
pbelleau
8 posts
 
+1 for the PS Audio PWD mkII, phenomenal piece. I have been through countless Sony CDP's then an Oppo BDP-95, replaced that with an Esoteric DV-50, but the PWD tops them all. If you can afford the PWT the combo is magical but even using the PWD with your existing transport will be an upgrade.

PB
ptss
1,964 posts
 
Sacman, ignoring value--which sounds best?
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banyon100
34 posts
 
I have been very happy with the Benchmark DAC2. DSD is a lot of fun and rivals analog, IMO.
sacman
125 posts
 
Ptss, ignoring the value, the PWDII sounds the best among all the DACs that I have owned.
essrand
297 posts
 
I really like the Triode TRV1-SE DAC, $2500.

Preferred it to the NAD M51 and Benchmark-1, which were a great DACs too.
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