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Denafrips Terminator vs other dacs

Hey everyone I have owned the denafrips Terminator in my system for approximately one year and am enjoying it. However I have not compared it to many other Dacs. the only one really being the Burson conductor SL 9018 and the hdv 820 and both of these were with headphones not speakers.
Initially when I was buying I was looking to spend around 4,000 and was deciding between the PS audio directstream and the Terminator and after lots of reading eventually settled on The Terminator.

So in this thread my aim is to get all the people who've either owned the Terminator or heard it to chime in on there impressions of it specifically compared to other dacs. Some of the other dacs I'm thinking of are the chord Hugo 2, tt2, Dave. The bricasti M1 SE. PS direct stream. Metrum pavane. Holo spring l3. And any other dacs that you heard that you have compared to the Terminator.

I realize that there are other threads that discuss the Terminator but I have not seen any that focus on comparing it to other dacs which is what I want this thread to be focused on.
Thank you so much.
smodtactical
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,837 posts
 
We would have you also look at the T+A DAC 8 DSD which is one of Audiostreams top recommendations.

The DAC 8 DSD when fed with Quad Rate DSD files was found to compete with the Total Dac and DCS Rossini Dacs which are both 4-5 times the price of the DAC 8.

There are several great dacs to look at in a similar price point, that are all top performers in that price range.

Aqua Hif La Voice.

Lumin T2

T+A Dac 8 DSD.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ


smodtactical OP
982 posts
 
@audiotroy thanks going to read more

@firstnot Bricasti's can be had used for  5-6k range. Also I do want to know how terminator competes against more pricey dacs.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,906 posts
 
I think that unless you critically listen to all of what's out there, you'll be chasing your tail looking for greener pastures. If what you have pleases you, then by all means, listen for the pleasure of it, unless you have loads of disposable income. 

I haven't heard the Denafrips Terminator but I have heard the Holo Springs DAC (can't say which model) and it was paired with the HeadAmp and a pair of Audeze cans and the sound was simply captivating, sublime, and just right, from the very first note. 

That was more than two years ago and if I were in the market for a great DAC, I would have stopped right there and be done with it. It could have been any other DAC that could have floated my boat and that's the point: the potential to satisfy is a lot closer than you think.

All the best,
Nonoise
jriggy's avatar
jriggy
565 posts
 
^ Speaking of listening for pleasure... That equals Lampizator for me, which I’ve gone back to. I tried the other rout but ultimately returned to my Lampi going direct to amp, as that brings me closer into the recording and totally connected to the musical intent of the artists.
There is a difference to me between best sonics and best connection to the music. In digital it’s easy to get steered astray searching for the best in frequency extensions, soundstage size, linearity etc...only to find over time that the emotional connection is diminished... Like choosing left-brained over right-brained listening.
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