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  3. 151755-115222

Tubes or not

Currenty I have a Wadia Di22 . I'm thinking of replacing it with a tube dac. I'm tube upstream . I'm afraid a tube DAC will bust the bank for the improvement I would hear. I don't want to replace it because it's not tube. I think I I can get a better non tube DAC for the price of a good tube DAC if you don't have an idea that is less than $1500 don't ask me about my equipment. That's a quick filter on multiple levels. I just want to squeeze as much as I can from the signal as I can for best price.98% of the other time vinyl is playong
nikonnola
luxmancl38
580 posts
 
For a non tube DAC under $1500 I'd look at the RME ADI-2 DAC. Also doubles as an excellent Headphone amp too. I've had it in my system for over a year and half.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,645 posts
 
MHDT Orchid for $1100.  Get the Western Electric tube.  Amazing dac that will make you smile!
ghasley
2,544 posts
 
Audio Mirror Tubadour, Border Patrol Dac SEI, MHDT Orchid. These three dacs seem to be the go to tubed dacs in your price range. The Border Patrol only uses the tube in the power supply, the others in the out put stage. Preowned Lampizator Amber would also check a few boxes for you. Solid state, the field opens up but it would be hard for you to go wrong with one of the Schiit multibit dacs. Depending on the model, the Schiit could leave you with some extra cash to apply toward other parts of your system. Best wishes.
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big_greg
6,724 posts
 
I have owned a number of DACs and the MHDT Orchid is my favorite.  I think it sounds as good or better than my Auralic Vega, which was $3500 when new.  I haven't A/B compared them both in the same system, but they are the two least "digital" sounding DACs I have owned and I think the Orchid would definitely hold its own against the Vega.
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