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Best used or new DAC under $3500

What would be the best DAC for under $3500, new or used? I currently use the Chord Dave and I LOVE it. However, I'm looking to downgrade to save some dough. Some reference points:

1) Yggdrasil:  Sold it as the staging was too narrow/flat and it seemed a little lifeless
2) Ayre QB-9 DSD: Feel its a bit too bright/tizzy - at this point I'm done trying Sabre DACs.

Can anyone recommend a DAC that is not a mainstream sabre chip based DAC? I dont mind it if its an older generation or vintage DAC either - Just something I can get for under $3500. I don't want a discussion to defend Sabre DACs please.

Thanks!

jozurr
gdhal's avatar
gdhal
1,641 posts
 
... I wanted something with tube(s) that was natural sounding, musical, transparent with no oversampling, filtering or buffering and now have this Dac in my system...  the music has a wholeness to it that’s hard to explain but the room is alive with life-like musicians/instruments.....

I can relate to your quote. As BorderPatrol states "the most natural sounding DAC’s are usually NOS (no over-sampling) designs based around the R-2R resistor ladder chips with no digital filtering". 

Best of luck with it.
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
Congratulations. Its always very satisfying to find something you like so much and stay well below budget. Enjoy. Its supposed to be a great DAC, especially for Redbook CD playback.
jond's avatar
jond
5,880 posts
 
Nice Wig and glad you're enjoying it so much! Love that type of filterless minimalist design.
xrayz
105 posts
 
@wig  I'm looking at the BorderPatrol myself and will be interested in any further impressions you have!
hondo's avatar
hondo
22 posts
 
I recently purchased a Border Patrol DAC SE with USB + SPDIF.  My wife's usual comment on my HiFi system changes -- "they both sound good".  She did not know that I had the BP and said -- "that cd sounds like vinyl".
 
To me, the BP moves digital toward an analog sound.  I am really enjoying this DAC.  
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