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DAC recommendation in the $1k range

Hey all,

I'm looking to upgrade from my PS Audio Digital Link III and wanted some help finding a candidate. My requirements, in addition to sounding great, are that it must be balanced, and it must either have remote input selection or auto-selection of inputs.  DSD is a plus, but I'm on the fence as to whether or not I'd use it (even though I did really love SACD while I had a player).  I don't need pre-amp or headphone amp capabilities.

So far the most interesting candidates I've found are: 
BMC PureDAC
PS Audio Nuwave DSD
PS Audio PerfectWave MK II

Obviously the PerfectWave is the highest pedigree but also the most "dated" being a couple years older and lacking DSD.  But if it's the best DAC of the bunch then I'll pull the trigger.

Any thoughts on these? Any options I'm not thinking of?
hudsonhawk
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

If you plan only to use Redbook cd (PCM) then I suggest the Shitt Gungnir with the multibit upgrade option, if you can stretch another $200.

As mutilbit will do justice to Redbook as it is "bit perfect", where Delta Sigma won’t be as good as it only gives a facsimile of it, though it can do DSD.

Schitt Yaggy, which also uses a similar Multibit d/a converter as the Gungnir with Multibit option.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/shiit-yggdrasil

https://wiki.analog.com/resources/quick-start/ad5791

Cheers George

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,924 posts
 
The NAD M51 can be found used around $1k-$1100.....it is a great DAC for the money.   
devilboy
1,176 posts
 
Someone in the know, told me the Klein dac is outstanding.
$750, I think.
ricevs
1,543 posts
 

Corrections on above post.  The Gustard actually does DSD 64 and DSD 128 via usb and DSD256 and possibly DSD512 via I2S.  Does not have separate paths for DSD and PCM.   The other stuff is true. Blows all DACs away under $3000.  Modded, we shall see what it can do soon versus the big boys.  So far, better than Yggy, Wryed for Sound DAC2DSD SE, Vega, M51, etc.  And this is stock....read this about the mods:  http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?20414-EVS-modified-Gustard-X20-Gustard-X20-thread

Quadman prefers digital upsampled to DSD128 via HQplayer on the level 1 modded Gustard to his $20,000 turntable with $5000 cartridge......pretty sweet.

gdnrbob
4,451 posts
 
I have the Schiit Multibit and McCormack Dac, both under $1K.
The SMc can be upgraded, too.
I am very happy with both.
B
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