@mitch2 which model Mystique? B4B? Keep us posted on your impressions.
DAC Choices - $5,000 to $7,000
What are the current top DAC choices in the approximately $5-$7K price range (new or used) that I should look at as possible upgrades to my current Metrum Adagio?
Having an on-board volume control is not a factor as I can operate my system either way. If I wanted to spend more I would look at Totaldac, Rockna Wavedream Signature, or one of the other top-end contenders, but I selected the price range to achieve a sound quality that is consistent with the rest of my system and because I don't want to spend more due to the still evolving nature of digital technology. I do like the more natural sound
(to my ears)
of NOS R2R DACs. So far, I have considered the three below, but none seem to be a slam-dunk upgrade from the Adagio, which still sounds pretty good in my system. The decision is complicated by having to "buy to try" so that I can hear one in my system. Maybe now is not the time for an upgrade. Any thoughts?
- Denafrips Terminator w/DSP board - Reportedly has the full body/dense tone type of sound I like, but also has a high'ish output impedance
- Holo May KTE - Reportedly measures great for an R2R DAC and has strong reviews
- Rockna Wavelight - Some reviewers like it but others put it in the middle of the pack for the price
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Maybe you don't have to spend as much as you think. Here's a review form over at Audiophile Style (formerly Computer Audiophile) that's done by a recording engineer who used his own recordings for evaluation: https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/review-denafrips-pontus-dac-r966/ All the best, Nonoise |
@rsf507 - Mystique V3 with balanced outputs, it arrives tomorrow from an excellent seller (super fast ship) over on USAM who upgraded to an MSB. I am really curious the hear what all the rave reviews are about and how it compares to my Adagio. I have not seen any EVO level Mystiques for sale on the used market yet. The question of which input to use is interesting since my Ambre endpoint doesn’t have a USB output, but it does have S/PDIF and optical. If I want to use the USB input, then I need to give up the advantages of using a Roon endpoint and connect the Mystique directly to my Antipodes DX L3 server, or purchase something like the SOtM trio that I used to own. I connect the Adagio to the Ambre using I2S. |
@mitch2, congrats on the Mystique V3 balanced! That is exactly what I purchased a few months ago; it will be interesting to hear your thoughts on it. I'm using a Bricasti M5 with Roon to feed it's SPDIF input. I found its sound quality jumped significantly after upgrading my SPDIF streamer to the Bricasti. I've just ordered a Luna Orange USB cable to try with it, so I'm not sure which of those two inputs I'll ultimately prefer. |
- 231 posts total