Options for $1k or less DAC?

@jjss49 There are things I prefer about the sound of the MHDT Labs Orchid, it is smoother and a little easier to listen to than the Bifrost.  The OP asked about DACs under $1K.  If they can stretch their budget then the Orchid is more than worthy of consideration.  

In terms of the systems I have heard the Bifrost in, the first was in my friend's system which at the time consisted of a Line Magnetic LM-805iA and Harbeth 40.2 speakers.  One of the best sounding systems I've heard.  The system I use mine in is a small near-field system consisting of a Simaudio 600i and Harbeth P3ESRs.  In both cases, the Bifrost is using USB, which it seems to do very well.

Not putting down the OP's system, but at the level it is currently at, the Bifrost would be the best component in their system.

As to my hearing, I'll pretend I didn't hear that comment.

If interested in a DAC with tube output:

MHDT make DACs under $1000.

The Jolida/Black Ice DAC is on sale for $700  by Underwood HIFI.

I appreciate all the suggestions on tubes.  Having build a few tube guitar amps and the Bottlehead Crack, I'm definitely sold on the technology.  However, I've always thought that you have to spend way more than $1k to get a unit that does it "right".

...to help quantify the above -- In the guitar world there are loads of pedals and gear that have a single 12a*7 in a preamp section to warm up the sound; all while keeping the power section solid state.  I'm sure it matters to some extent to the sound, but most of the magic of guitar tube sound comes from an over driven power section.  The difference in pricepoint between the two different configurations are typically double or triple. 

Anyway, I'm not sure how this translates to the HiFi world knowing that we all want clean / clear power for our listening.  But when I see tube dacs for $500-$800 I'm skeptical.  

Having said all of that, I'm *not* interested in an analytical presentation of music which perhaps is another vote for tubes (at a high level).

op

Anyway, I’m not sure how this translates to the HiFi world knowing that we all want clean / clear power for our listening. But when I see tube dacs for $500-$800 I’m skeptical.

don’t be - they are for real... i have tried many if not all of the contenders in the $500 to $2000 range... mhdt makes several models based on r2r nos chips, all w tube output, even their more expensive models can be found used for under $1000 - but when they appear on audiogon or us audiomart, and are snapped up pretty much straight away

jolida/black ice, as mesch mentioned, also makes a tube output dac... also very good (but not quite as good as the mhdt’s)

frank van alstine/ava also has made excellent dacs less than a grand in cost, with tubed output stages that sound very natural

if you do research you will also see mention of a border patrol tube dac around $1000 used... i would suggest you pass on that one... the tube is used in the power supply section... not in the output stage, and its sound quality, while good, does not represent as good a value as others mentioned

there is also a chi-fi dac by musical paradise that is tubed output -- it has seen some good reviews but i have not tried it in my own system (i personally lean against direct marketed chi fi stuff as there is questionable support if anything goes awry...)

bear in mind also that to get a full, natural ’more musical presentation’ than the more common treble-centric robotic-sounding dacs, using tubed output is not the only solution -- ayre codex and metrums octave/amethyst are two others that provide an ’analog-like’ sweet and dimensional sound profile under $1000 used...

good luck have fun happy holidays

Just signed up w Tidal. Next will be getting a Bluesound Node 2i to test the streaming world. Will possibly add a Schiit DAC later if I'm not thrilled with the Node's sound.