Bel Canto Dac 3.7 in 2018?

I’ve had the 3.7 for about a year now. I obtained it for 3,000. New in box. From what I gather it has performed well.

I don’t see myself selling the 3.7 anytime soon. Though I do see a tube pre amp, and a class D amp in the near future.

Interesting about the revised 2.7 - Dual Femto clocks. Nice upgrade. Though considering what I paid for the 3.7 new. Cost of a new 2.7. It pretty much averages out imo.

J

Bel canto has a player and 2.7 combo coming out later in the year for $3500 I have heard the 3.7 with power supply vs the 2.7  veryvery close sonicly bot 70 Femto seconds accuracy clocks whichthst is better then the majority out there ad the 2.7 has class 
A output sections ,dual verylow nose power supplies 124db 
the 3.7 126 db a hair differences , if you could wait till the fall 
thestreamer 2.7 combo is going to be a hot ticket thstcould 
do a lot and if spots fit,or Qbuz  get bigger in radio that too will 
be soft ware added. I thought the Schitt Yaggs 2 would be for sure better , nope not in my system it may have a bit better leading edge detail , micro dynamics are close layering of depth,prat 
in my system and match with my Gato amp the elcsnto is more analog like. In this hobby nothing is set in stone . Everyone linked 
a different flavor.

Yeah, @audioman58 has some really good points. Just to reiterate, I had the BC DAC3 and DAC3VB in my system for a long demo. The VBS1 is an absolute necessity if you’re getting a BC DAC -- IMHO. I’ve heard them both back to back in my system, and there is no comparison. I got to speak directly with John Stronczer about this, and he related that while in Paris he heard a battery-powered system that had sound qualities he wanted to bring to his products. IMO, he succeeded.

But, and this is a big but, I am very intrigued by the latest R2R NOS DACs on the market today. I’ll be very specific -- as good as the BC DAC3 VB was in my system, given what you’ve stated as your system preferences, I’d try a SW1X DAC. They offer a trial period, which, to me, is HUGE. Caution alert -- they do use tubes. But as it’s a DAC, they won’t need to be replaced very often. The reviews from owners are unanimously positive, and they seem to have great customer service. Unlike, unfortunately, Mytek.  Another DAC to explore would be the Metrum Pavane level 3 DAC.  If it's me, I go with the SW1X beacause the reviews are outstanding and he has the guts and confidence to offer a trial period.  

All that said, I highly doubt you'd be disappointed in the least by a BC DAC3 VB much less a 3.7 VB.  But again, I would encourage you to explore the SW1X given your sonic preferences.  Hope this helps, and best of luck in your search. 

I bought the Belcanto 2.7  itstechnologies are a bit ahead of all past dacs  they made their output stages x2 are very low noise and in class A output stsge
and no more pico second time clocks they use Duel high-precision Femto 
clocks 70 Femto seconds accuracy cs the still norm pico seconds .
this unit is only a hair behind the Belcanto 3.7 with virtual battery 
124 db dynamic range , ,the 3.7 126 db , and measured almost spot on in testing 
that says a lot TheSchiit Yaggs has a lot of good press .Bel, canto donot do 1/2 as many reviews ,youjusthave to gets trial   but in my System I tried both 
and theYaggs had a bit more leading edge , but theBelcanto had more prat 
more-involving. This too can just be my amp preamp was a better mstch .
ifyou look at Bel canto website , they have almost 30 years in audio including digital . John Strozner saysthere are 4-5 key critical elements thst have to be
right for everything else to fall into place . One thing to mention here.
high quality Fuse for sure do count ,we did several blind tests after 100hr+ runin.
several blind tests with 4 or more people .look at the metals resistance index online . Steel fuse a 15, Copper,Silver 65 +higher number better the conductor
Everything  run-through the fuse. I use the Hifi tuning  Black -Supreme Gold over Silver ,ceramic body in digital it is very detailed and nuetral. .synergistic blue in amps ,preamp ifyou want a bit more body .  Vs steel fuse a clearer performance ,better-stereo seperation, and for sure better low level micro details..
the companies don’t want you in thecade but as a Audiophile I am compelled !!
   

I'm confused.  Do you have the DAC1.7 or 3.7?  You state in your equipment list that you have the 1.7, but in a later post you say you have the 3.7.  C'mon man.  Let's get this straight here!  If you have the 3.7 I'd absolutely look to upgrade to separate amp and preamp as the biggest absolute improvement overall to your system.  If you have the 1.7, that's a tougher call. 

BTW, great speakers -- modern-day classics IMHO -- and great choice in TWL power cords.  The maker went to Clarkson College -- our arch rival in division 1 hockey at St. Lawrence 10 miles down the road -- so I should by all rights hate him, but have to totally respect his work in power cords.  

If you have the 3.7, I'd absolutely look to separate amp and preamp as the bigger absolute benefit to your system.  Specifically, I'd ditch the PrimaLuna idea and contact Don Sachs about him building one of his SP14 preamps for you.  And while you're at it, talk to him about his new KT88 tube amp that may actually be able to drive your awesome Sapphires.  If he says yes, JUST DO THAT and be done with it!!!

But, here are some other options I'd consider for preamps.  I think @teajay here did a fantastic review of the new Linear Tube Audio preamp that seems more than compelling.  Also, Ralph's Atmasphere SP3 preamp is a relatively unheralded and outstanding preamp in its own right.  These three are at the top of my own personal list, so thought I'd throw them all out therefor your review.  Read the reviews.  They're all awesome and will likely kill your current integrated. 

Now to the amp.  You seem to want power, and I don't know the sensitivity or impedance characteristics of your speakers, but being monitors I have to assume they need some power.  I've had very limited experience with "digital" amps.  However, I heard Joseph Audio Pulsars driven by Bel Canto REF500s that sounded absolutely fantastic, so I'd certainly look there.  But, if you would also entertain a more traditional Class A/B amp, I'd take a serious look at this ridiculous value.  I own a McCormack DNA 0.5 with Steve's A Revisions and it's outstanding.  I think what you'll gain over your McIntosh is an expansion of soundstage depth and detail that will help your Sapphires sing at a new level. 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649511615-mccormack-dna125-with-mods-by-bob-backert-of-rhb/

Hope this helps, and please keep us posted in whatever you decide and how it works out.