I need some help with deciding on which DAC to buy. My budget only allows me to spend $400. I was thinking about a used MSB Digital Link III or a Channel Island. Which one should I go for, or are there any better DACs for the price range?
With only $400-500, I would think about a used Rega planet CDP, Ah! Njoe Tjoeb 4000 or maybe the Philips Sacd player some seem fond of. If the cheap dac doesn't reclock the singnal from the transport, and most don't, the transport may kill the potential of the dac, a single box will likely prove vastly superior.
I have not heard the Channel Island, but I have heard an MSB Link and did not like it. It was forward sounding and lacked bass. My personal favorite in your price range is the Micromega DUO BS2, which you will have to find used. They do come up for sale occaisionally for around $200. I have tried or owned several dacs under $2K and prefer the Micromega over all of them.
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