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Which DAC? SFD-1 MKII/Bel Canto DAC1/MF A3.24

Hello all,

I am looking @ the following DAC options since they are all around the same price. I dont want to spend alot on a DAC. I am would like some opinions on which I should go for.

1. Sonic Frontiers SFD-1 MKII $650
2. Bel Canto DAC1
3. Musical Fidelity A3.24

I am leaning towards the SFD because I am a big Sonic Frontiers fan. What do you guys think?

Totem Rainmakers
Class CA-100
Sonic Frontiers SFl-1
kowrath
lush
262 posts
 
It's rather unfortunate, a Museatex Bitstream was just sold hours ago after only being listed for $300, it was unmodded. Even with getting John to mod it you could have probably have paid $600 for a DAC that would have destroyed the ones mentioned in this thread. Keep your eyes open if your still in the market.
kowrath OP
3 posts
 
I will have to keep an eye out for another Museatex. Do you have any information on the unit and or brand?

As for the Audio Mirror D1, it appears that the price has gone up due to demand. I was willing to take a chance for $499 but not "$700.00 ~ $800". Might as well get a SFD-1 for that kind of money. Ah well I guess the search continues. THanks for the idea though Clio, I will keep an eye out for a used one :).

Anyone else have some suggestions?
clio09
3,360 posts
 
Kowrath,

Still a great deal at $700 - $800. I'd stay on top of Vlad about the $499 price, he just offered me a sweet deal on his PP1 preamp ($1200 MSRP) so he is definitely negotiable.
celo
183 posts
 
@lush I have the itch of getting the SFD-1 MKii. Currently, I am using the Museatex Bitstream (unmodded) which I am very happy with. When I saw your response, I wanted to ask if you had a chance to compare the SFD-1 MKii to the Bitstream. I am curious if the SF DAC can sound more analog than the Bitstream?
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

1. Sonic Frontiers SFD-1 MKII
2. Bel Canto DAC1
3. Musical Fidelity A3.24


These are all Redbook CD (pcm) only dacs.
I’d place them in that order that you’ve got, had them all at one time or another, owned or for mod work.

SFD-MkII R2R Multibit, UA D20400A dac and PMD100 hdcd, very nice, but if the dac ever gives problems it becomes a door stop then.

BC DAC1 another good R2R Multibit dac with PCM1704 dacs, but sadly no hdcd, and it had a little noise, if it had hdcd and no noise it "could" equal the SFD.

The MF A3.24, was "nice" measured well, but boring, and it’s a Delta Sigma dac, no matter what mods I tried, I could get it to "jump" like good Mutibit dacs can, one thing in it’s favour which Delta Sigma dacs tend to do, is it was kinder to bad recordings.

Cheers George
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