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Upgrade DAC recommendation

My systems consist of:
McIntosh 601 Monoblocks 
McIntosh C47 Pre Amp
Martin Logan Renaissance 15A Speakers
 Node2 DAC

I’m  bypassing the DAC in my Node2 and using the DAC in my McIntosh C47 My sound is good but I think I’m missing something  and believe the sound can be tremendously better if I upgrade my Node 2 for a better DAC. I’m willing to spend up to $5k on a new DAC
 Based on my system components, can you suggest a Better DAC that will take my sound Up to new levels

 need lots of help

fhanks

 
preslisa64
koonyeow
2 posts
 
I would like to recommend Denafrips Terminator R2R DAC. The price is within your budget. I have ordered one and will be receiving it next week. You may read the reviews online and watch the videos by credible reviewers on YouTube for this DAC. 
rja's avatar
rja
2,386 posts
 
My 2 cents, check out the Sonnet Morpheus DAC.
Excellent DAC and well under your price cap.
jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
concur that sonnet/metrum and denafrips (among others) are excellent
rushfan71's avatar
rushfan71
303 posts
 
Based on the components in your system the Node is the weak link imo.
+1 on the Sonnet Morpheus.
I have done A/B comparisons with my Metrum Acoustics Pavane and they are close but the Morpheus has a more focused sound stage especially the center imaging and it has a little more weight to the sound.
Cees uses 16 DACs on 4 boards with FPGA on each as opposed to 8 DACs on 8 transient modules. The Morpheus is a continuation of his R2R design but it's in a less expensive case to bring the cost way down compared to the Pavane and the Adagio
mtdining's avatar
mtdining
131 posts
 
The best DAC near that price is the Ayre QX-8. It is closer to 6 with the Network card, but it will sound far better than others less than $9k! I’ve heard many of the other touted DACs.
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