Looking for an upgrade to my Ack Dack 2.0

What do you hook your DAC to, a passive or active preamp? This may make it easier to narrow down the choices. If using an active preamp with a decent input impedance,I recommend listening to the Audio Sector Dac. I think it will give you what your looking for. You can get the Premium gold kit for around $250 or you maybe able to sweet talk Peter into building you one in a simple non-chassis for $350.This little DAC uses a 48 volt 6 amp transformer that outputs 8 volts to the digital side and a separate 8 volts to the analog side. It is a very very dynamic little DAC. I think you'll be very surprised with what you get for spending less. What ever Peter builds..he gives a money back guarantee with a lifetime warranty. Can't beat that with a stick. Not a cheerleader for the company..just a happy customer.;-)

Good luck!

I don't have it hooked up to any preamp. It goes directly into my tubed headphone amp. I appreciate the advice, but I don't really want to have to assemble anything. My time and skills are pretty limited.

Get the Ack modified by empiricalaudio.com. I a/b'd between a stock model and a modded one--no contest.

Gongos, did you compare a modded Ack 2.0 or the 1.x model? If so, what improvements did you notice?

I compared the Modded unit to a 1.x. I talked to Steve before I sent in the Dack, and he told me it didn't make a difference if I sent in a 2.0 or a 1.x--the end results would be the same. The modded unit was much better from top to bottom. The most obvious improvements were more detail, dynamics, and an amazing 3-D presentation.

I'd imagine the results of modding your 2.0 would be similar. Or, you could sell the 2.0, buy a cheaper 1.x, and have the 1.x sent in for mods.