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Curious about older "world class" D/A converters

Good day, all.

Recently, I’ve become a little obsessed with the idea of purchasing/employing an older DAC. The few that’ve been swirling in my mind are the Mark Levinson 360s, dCS Elgar and Spectral SDR-2000/Pro. Here’s what I have in place now (and I’ve been through many systems over the years):

- MacBook Pro / SSD / AIFF’s, over the air
- ModWright Transporter (Emission Labs 5U4G / 50’s Sylvania 6SN7’s)
- Duelund DCA20GA
- Line Magnetic 218ia (Shuguang 845B’s, Gold Lion KT-77’s and 12AX7’s)
- Kimber 4PR
- Omega Super 7XRS

I listen to all types of music (99.9% of my digital library is Redbook), favoring acoustic anything - as much as possible, I attempt to get the effect that the instruments are in the room. As is, everything is dialed in pretty darn nicely, but I feel as though I could use just a bit more focus - if I could have a sharpness dial... Anyhow, you get what I mean. And just so you know, I chose the Transporter over a Berkeley Alpha 2 (had both in the system for 8 months or so, with the former feeding the latter via AES). In the end, I feel there’s just something organic about the Transporter. The Alpha certainly did everything right, but the Transporter just seemed more "natural" (for lack of a more elaborate description). I will say, though, that in some cases, depending on the material - if I’m being completely honest with myself - I wasn’t able to tell them apart and actually got them mixed up in my own exhaustive comparisons.

So, all that said (and sorry for the long-windedness) would any of the three I mention above be worth a shot? I will admit that I’m smitten with the engineering, design and build quality of these pieces without even having an idea of what they might sound like.

Thanks for your time,
Mark (ballywho, since 2003)
ballywho
rhljazz
1,254 posts
 

An original Chord Hugo used, or the new Hugo 2 would be an excellent choice.  Price range depending on new or used 1200.00 to 2400.00.  Hugo is battery powered so no need for a special power cord plus you get a headphone amp.  Chord does not use off the shelf dac chips like most manufacturers.  I listen to my digital and analog setups every day and find both equally satisfying.

The Hugo easily outperforms my VAC vacuum tube dac with the PMD 100 dac chip.

  

dweller's avatar
dweller
3,783 posts
 
The best "real world" system I've heard contained a Theta "pre/pro" DAC (far from mega-bucks price). I believe it was designed by Mike Moffat who is now at Schiit Audio.
jond's avatar
jond
5,824 posts
 
Hi Mark I recently dropped a new, to me, Audio Note DAC-3 Signature that was built in 1995 into my system. It is by far the best sound I've ever had in my home. A good design and good execution will always come through regardless of whatever the latest "chip" is that's popular. I saw that Spectral you mention on here for $1500 looks like a great deal to me!

ballywho OP
134 posts
 
jond -

I'll add it to my list - thanks!  And you know what? - it's the darn Spectral that got me going again on this whole thing.  I was checking AudiogoN from my phone (for the heck of it) as I was getting up yesterday - by the time I was able to get out to the computer, it had been snatched up.  The cheapest one I can find now is $2700.  Someone got one heck of a deal @ $1500!

- Mark
rzado
175 posts
 
Hi Mark,

I think older DACs have gotten an unnecessarily bad rap in this age of higher resolution audio, and a number of these older DACs, on 16/44 CD quality recordings, still sound quite wonderful.  To give an example, my reference DAC is a Stahl Tek Vekian Opus.  However, I also have both an EMM Labs DCC2 and a Dodson DA-217 MkII.D.  While the Vekian is clearly the highest performer (at $35k retail, it better be), both the EMM Labs and the Dodson acquit themsleves quite well, and I in fact prefer them to a number of the newer DACs that are getting a lot of print these days.  

Of the DACS you mention, my experience with them is quite dated. I was not a big fan of the Elgar at the time, finding the EMM Labs superior (more natural presentation with more air surrounding instruments, for example).  I really did like the Spectral combo when it came out, but this experience goes back more than 15 years.  I don't recall hearing the ML 360s, but did hear the 30 / 31 combo on a number of occasions, which I enjoyed as well, although I recall preferring the Spectral combo.

In short, I think there are some great older DACs out there, and encourage you in your search. The EMM Labs in particular, at their current prices, are ridiculous bargains.  (And don't get me started on transports - if you are still spinning any discs, most of the actual transport mechanisms still in manufacture today are poor quality).

Best of luck.








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