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Advice on stand alone DAC

I'm putting together a modest system for my "winter getaway" in Florida. Have a Pioneer DV-79avi univeral player, with GMA Callistos on order. Would like to add a better DAC for redbook. Thinking tube-based to but flexible. Prefer to stay under $1000, new or used. A couple of Musical Fidelity A3.24s are listed here in the $500-600 area - any good?

Advice very much appreciated.

Doug
grandpad
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
To take full advantage of any 2ch dac will require a 2ch preamp.
meerp1
17 posts
 
Just last week I added a Bel Canto DAC 2 to my Elite 59avi and Redbooks do sound better. Although the 59's DAC is said to be very good I find the Bel Canto to be better. The Bel Canto is hooked up to a tube pre & I use a tube amp. The combination sounds good.
Jeff
nutella
223 posts
 
Take a look at a modded Museatex Bitstream. I have yet to hear anything better for the money (or for that matter, several times the money.
grandpad OP
151 posts
 
Avguygeorge: Sorry, but I failed to mention I'll be using a Yamaha RX-V2500 receiver. So my thinking is to output from the Pioneer's digital to a DAC's digital in, then stereo analog out from the DAC to the stereo analog input of the Yamaha (which has a "Pure Direct" which bypasses all processing by it). Does that sound OK or am I missing something.
grandpad OP
151 posts
 
Bojack: Thanks for the suggestions. I once owned a BC DAC I, and found it too 'dry' for my taste. I now use an Audio Aero Capitole II cdp in my main system up North, which also includes a mix of ss and tubes (Herron & Joule), which is why I would like to add tubes to this little setup.
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