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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
hgeifman
2,272 posts
 
Based on the above posts, the T+A DSD 8 DAC seems to be a recommended DAC. I like that the DAC 8 has separate power supplies for its digital and analog circuits, and uses galvanic isolation to further limit any unwanted interaction between the two sections. And, also its Double-Differential-Quadruple-Converter with 4 D/A-Converters per channel is a plus.

I hope to be able to hear this DAC at The Home Entertainment Show this coming weekend (June 7-9). Its above technical features are interesting but I am more interested in hearing how it sounds. What has been your experience when you heard the T+A DSD 8 DAC? Does anyone have any thoughts on the T+A DSD 8 DAC?
smodtactical OP
982 posts
 
To get back on topic. Whats with SBAF trashing Denafrips terminator? Purrr1n basically said the Soekris 1421 is better ? Its the only corner of the internet where I've seen denafrips held in extremely low regard.
rdoc
93 posts
 
I read those comments.  I think that for some reason, he has a bias against Denafrips.  I recently purchased a new one from Alvin with the new board.  It is a superb dac.  I am entirely pleased.  It's sound is far better than described in SBAF IMHO.
dsper
663 posts
 
I agree with earlier posts that how a DAC sounds depends on the listener's personal audio taste and system.

Having said that, if you like Ladder DACs, try to find  a used Theta ProBasic III before shelling out $5 or 10 grand. You might be surprised what you can do for less than $1000.

My system is a Perfect Wave transport, the Theta, CJ 17LS-2, McCormack DNA 500, and Thiel CS5 speakers. All of these components were purchased on the used market over the last five years.

Thanks for listening,

Dsper


in_shore's avatar
in_shore
596 posts
 
I know if PS Audio stuff gets outperformed it has to be something wrong with the system it can’t be PS Audio . Lol 
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