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Best DAC

Hey community,

Current system:
ARC SP-6
Threshold S500
Magneplanar 1.6

I love the tube sound of the SP-6, and think it pairs great with the power/clarity of the S500 and 1.6 speakers.  Currently using the DACMagic to play audio from my computer, and I believe it may be the limiting factor in my system.  What DACs would be a significant upgrade?  What’s the best at the moment?

I’m comfortable spending up to $2-3k for a significant improvement.  Let me know if higher/lower priced DACs would be more suitable.

I appreciate your insight.
mr_sacrimoni
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,817 posts
 
We area dealer we sold the dac magic anf it was a geeat starter dac. You would be much better suite with a streaming dac such as a lumim d2.

A node is a good streamer but it does not really work as well as a stteamer into a betyer dac as you want to use usb asyncronous data transfer via usb minimizes jitter and allows for higher data rates

Dave and troy
Audio intellect Nj
Lumin nad andwe were cambridge dealers
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
I’m comfortable spending up to $2-3k for a significant improvement.
Look at R2R Multibit dacs NOS or OS from Schiit, Denafrips, Holo.  for that price range.

Cheers George
nealkot
25 posts
 
Mytek Brooklyn Bridge and you’re done. 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
There is no best DAC but an RME ADI-2 is one that would give you more functionality. 
mazian's avatar
mazian
410 posts
 
R2R dacs are great but with a quality tube pre like the ARC you might have difficulty hearing a difference unless you spend really big bucks. I had that experience with Denafrips Pontus and other highly rated R2R dacs I tried and eventually settled on a Pure Audio Lotus, which did improve sound quality into my Van Alstine pre and Rogue power amp and Martin Logan Vantage speakers. Really it's horses for courses and you need to try out dacs before purchase if you can.
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