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Rank the top reference DACs you've heard

Usually the battle goes between DCS Vivaldi set and MSB Select II.

However, since Swiss/Japanese (boutique level) DACs are usually out of reach, we rarely read about ultra high end DACs and where they fit with the rest of the league ($5000-$100,000) price range. 

There are other topologies and SOTA designs floating around, what comes to mind:
- new DCS (above Vivaldi) flagship to be announced
- Wadax Atlantis Reference
- Esoteric Grandioso D1X (Dual Mono)
- TotalDAC Twelve Mk2
- Lampizator Golden Gate 2
- Chord Dave+mscaler
- CH Precision C1+X1 (Dual Mono) 
- Soulution 760
- Aries Cerat Kassandra Ref
- Aqua La Scala mkII Optologic
- EMM Labs DV2/DA2

I mentioned flagship DACs only since the list will be bigger and we will lose focus of the subject. It is interesting to know some of us "lurkers" or who has reached audio nirvana with his choice of DAC and what did he it compare with. The more input we get, the clearer the big picture will be. 

Let's go!
128x128emerald
vinylvalet
845 posts
 
Audio Note R-2R DACs should be on this list.
flame
13 posts
 
thieliste, may I ask why you went Aqua if you prefer Totaldac?

also did you prefer totaldac over Aries Cerat? I seem to remember seeing a thread where you liked the AC.
craig
83 posts
 
I suspect that this is very system dependent. Before upgrading to my Rogue Audio RP9 and Apollo Dark mono blocks, I thought the Chord Dave was excellent.  Once I upgraded, I then could hear the "cloudiness" and the relatively small soundstage. I tried the Briscati and the dCS Rossini and bought the latter.  The sound stage is wide AND deep.  The noise level is sufficiently low that there is clear articulation and separation, the presentation is either in my room (typical of jazz recordings) or about 10th row center in a concert venue (classical) depending on recording.  The timber is accurate and NOT clinical or "cold" (but remember, I have an all tube preamp and amps and Sonus faber Amati Tradition speakers).
At the price level of these DACs, an audition in YOUR home/system is mandatory because of the numerous variables.  (The Rossini actually sounds better on my system than it did at the dealer with his Boulder preamp/amp and Wilson Alexa speakers-- at least to my taste.)
thyname's avatar
thyname
3,107 posts
 
Esoteric N-01XD. Streamer built in

As a side note, if your “system” is comprised of cheap DIY speakers, and “adequate” amplification, and stock cables, then all these DACs are snake oil, as all DACs sound the same. Heck, someone at the famous ASR forums of Amir told me a DAC is not even part of audio chain, just simply part of electric transmission, whatever that means. This was also widely “proven” by the Null Tester magic device invented by the famed audio guru Ethan Winer. Which in many people’s opinions is THE man (the legend, the myth, etc. etc.)
ghasley
2,434 posts
 
@thyname



At least in my book (which is the only book that matters to me) Amir is hardly the go to guy that I would consult for advice. His and his cult like followers and their little fussy war regarding Totaldac turned me off for good. Ive heard and owned a Totaldac and it is an exceptional piece of gear.
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