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A DAC that crushes price vs. performance ratio

I felt strongly that I wanted to inform the Gon members about a new DAC that ranks with the very best on the market regarding performance, but costs around $2,000.00.  The Lab12 DAC1 SE was compared to three reference level DACS that retail for over $12.000.00 in my review for hometheaterreview.com and was at least on the same level sonicly, if not better.  This DAC from Greece is not just "good for the money" but competes with virtually anything on the market regardless of price!

For all the details about the Lab12 DAC1 SE performance and what other DACS it was compared to take a look at the review.  If you are shopping/looking for a new digital front end to drive your system, you owe it to yourself to check this DAC out, unless you like to spend tons of more $ without getting better performance.
teajay
keithtexas
352 posts
 

I enjoyed teejay’s review as I’m considering DACs in the $2K range. But I’m confused.

Is this the same DAC reviewed in monoandstereo 5 years ago (2013)?

https://www.monoandstereo.com/2013/04/lab12-dac1-special-edition-test-and.html

teajay OP
1,702 posts
 
Hey keithtexas,

I was the first American reviewer to have the fun to review the Lab12-SE DAC.  There were a few, including the monoandstereo piece, European reviews that were raves about the DACs performance.  I believe that Lab12 has done subtle changes since the DAC got on the market.  However, you would have to contact them for the details on this. 
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
@keithtexas First we take Athens... then we take Manhattan.  (To L.Cohen melody...)
keithtexas
352 posts
 

Thank teajay.

Sounds like a really nice dac.

janehamble
123 posts
 
  
Is this the same DAC reviewed in monoandstereo 5 years ago (2013)?

@keithtexas 
Yes, that seems to be true. Unless there's more substance demonstrated to validate @teajay's thinking that there may have been some "subtle changes".

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