Good stuff, Steve. Thanks for the thorough answers. It's given me something to think about...
DAC recommendations for CDs in 2-channel system
Can anyone share suggestions for a DAC to go with the following setup:
Odyssey Audio Kismet monoblocks
Odyssey Audio Tempest pre-amp
Dual 1229 turntable with Shure V3
crappy CD player (used as a transport)
Schiit Modi Uber (current DAC, OK not great)
Klipsch Cornwall I speakers
I listen primarily to CDs and some vinyl at fairly low levels. The amps and preamp were recent major upgrades, so I'm thinking about getting a DAC that will hold its own with the new components.
I don't have a budget in mind, but prefer a high value for dollar. Thanks in advance!
Odyssey Audio Kismet monoblocks
Odyssey Audio Tempest pre-amp
Dual 1229 turntable with Shure V3
crappy CD player (used as a transport)
Schiit Modi Uber (current DAC, OK not great)
Klipsch Cornwall I speakers
I listen primarily to CDs and some vinyl at fairly low levels. The amps and preamp were recent major upgrades, so I'm thinking about getting a DAC that will hold its own with the new components.
I don't have a budget in mind, but prefer a high value for dollar. Thanks in advance!
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- 37 posts total
If you have a chance, you might want to take a listen to an older DAC with 20400 'chips'. They were made when the money was spent on making the chips great, rather than applying a lot of technology to make lesser chips sound better. There are often some Sonic Frontiers DACs available from the usual audio sources (eBay, here on Audiogon, or US Audio Mart) and they are not outrageously expensive. |
I really enjoy my PS Audio DirectStream Sr. It fits squarely in the big bang-for-the buck (high value) box in my opinion. Lots of rave reviews out there... Here is one of the latest asserting that it compares well (competes?) with very expensive kit: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/ps-audio’s-directstream-memory-player-and-dac/ The PSA team consistently tweaks the programable "chips'" code and provides updates, FOR FREE. Give it a listen on trial. PSA has a generous trial and trade in policy. |
From the review: "the $5,000 to $15,000 range is somewhat vacant. A few boxes come to mind, but they are mostly DACs. Simaudio’s 780D is exceptional at $15k, but it doesn’t play shiny discs." Here’s something in that range, even better: Overdrive SX DAC - $10,995-$12,995 Oppo Transport - $1200 Synchro-Mesh reclocker - $599 Total - $12,794 - $14,794 https://www.audiostream.com/content/empirical-audio-overdrive-sx-ethernet-dacpre Unlike the PSAudio DAC, the ODSX has Ethernet input for the best sound quality. Jitter from the Oppo with the Synchro-Mesh is ~20psec: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=154408.0 IMO, It’s a big mistake to spend a lot on a transport that you could put towards a better DAC. It is relatively inexpensive to transform a decent transport into a world-class transport. Steve N. Empirical Audio |
- 37 posts total