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DAC PREFERENCES TO MATCH WITH NODE2

LOOKING TO STEP UP FROM BLUESOUND’S MQA CAPABILITY O AN EXTERNAL DAC.  ANY SUGGESTIONS?
dct
jazzman7
358 posts
 
With a $1K budget:  
Shopping Used:
Ayre Codex for just under $1000 (have listened to a lot), and this would be my number 1 pick in your price range.
Bryston BDA-1 for $600 or so (own one, and still a good value at this price point.
Can highly recommend the Chord Qutest (own one), but that DAC goes for around $1400 on the used market.
I'm sure the panel can recommend many others at your price point.

jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
op

do a search, much written on other threads on good modern cost effective dacs - by me and others who have run the gamut
mvrooman1526
43 posts
 
Your direction depends on what sound you prefer. Tube sound? Look for a used R2R DAC. I went from using a Node 2i for streamer & DAC and purchased a used Audio Mirror Tubadour III DAC. The sound improvement was massive. It was like buying a whole new system and that is not exaggeration. The DAC in the Node is no doubt a great DAC for the price but it’s not a great DAC.

The improvement I saw from going to an outboard dedicated DAC prompted me to upgrade to a dedicated streamer. If the improvement on the DAC was that big than I must be able to get just as big of an improvement if I spend the same amount on a streamer! I went and bought a used Lumin U1 mini which I am happy with but the improvement was no where near the scale as the DAC. Just an FYI.

Good luck on your search. So many options it’s impossible to narrow it down as you’re going to get as many recommendations as you get replies. Start with trying to provide what type of sound your looking for and you’ll get good honest replies. Hopefully something rises to the top.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
RME ADI-2 or Topping D90.
jorgjean
76 posts
 
I am using Benchmark DAC-3. Highly recommended. Roon will give it another boost.
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