Another new DAC: Audio Mirror

I understand there are some big fans of the Orchid DAC here, but let’s face it - the Audio Mirror DAC is in another league.

@teajay said it - "Yes, it does everything with more finesse and performs on a higher qualitative then the Orchid DAC."

I sold my maxed out Audio Note Kit DAC 5.1 Signature, because the Audio Mirror sounded better.

I also had a Denafrips Terminator in my system for almost a year. I would take the Audio Mirror SE DAC instead of the Terminator any day! With no hesitation at all. And I would not regret for a second.

You asked @teajay for comparison. He listened and spent the time to do it. And now it’s not fair?!? He has not even heard the full potential of the Audio Mirror DAC yet, because it’s not fully broken in yet. This Audio Mirror DAC is up there with $10K DACs, believe it or not. You just need to optimize the upstream components, and it would deliver.

I’m only getting this for a back-up to my DHT Dac, so I could care less about who’s in another league, todays flavor turns into next years forgotten.   I didn't ask teajay for a comparison, I can do that on my own.

@vassils

I get why you feel that way. However, we also know in audio many things make us scratch our heads. The upgraded Orchid is in another league, as you say, vs. stock so a comparison would be interesting and don’t count the Orchid out. I have owned and modified enough gear to know the upgraded Orchid is very special. It is also some $900 less than the maxed out AM SE.

No way to know for sure without direct comparison. My gut is they will be close and will offer different strengths. Subjective preference would determine the best one for a given person. Just a guess like your guess. Love to compare both directly to know.

I have at least heard The Orchid, upgraded Orchid and $1800 AM dac so my speculation is born out of a little direct experience/knowledge.

I agree with what @rx8man shared earlier. It is just a great time to buy a reasonably priced dac, wether upgraded or not, and experience such enjoyable sound. We have so many great choices!  Audio Mirror, MHDT, Lampizator Amber 3, Border Patrol and others.  Digital has never sounded so good for reasonable money.  

We need to keep our "own" ears open, and for the cost consideration involved with these pieces, they can be heard in our systems, swapped with friends, so on so forth.

Yes, I'm sure Teajay is a really nice guy, but, things are relative in the context of a given system and personal taste requirements.

The aforementioned Dacs in this thread are affordable and provide good "musical" results, without putting up a house mortgage or car note.