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DAC That Punches Above Its Price Point

I’ll make it short. I’ve spent some hours reading the DAC threads on this forum. I am aware quality of digital matters as superior DACs usually the costlier ones will sound better than cheap DACs, making music sound more analog, lifelike, real, believable with all the soundstage and detail etc. All the good things. There are some who thought it’s the music that matters, and although different DACs may sound different it’s the music that makes the most difference. In other words, the differences that exist between DACs are not that important as it's all about the music. I can see the point that people are trying to make.

Back to the topic. I’ve read great things on the Denafrips Ares II and Pontus II, and other costlier high-end DACs. I’ve read about the Chord DAVE. I personally own a Chord QBD76 and have no urge to replace it with anything else since it sounds splendid in my system, for the money. I may be setting up another system and was wondering if there is a DAC in the lower price bracket that punches way above its price point, sounding close to if not better than the costlier designs.

I presume the Audioquest Black, Red or Cobalt are not worthy of consideration and sound noticeably inferior to the costlier options? FWIW I tried the Musical Fidelity M1 DAC and this one really sounded poor to my ears. Very digital sound and I stopped listening to it after a while. The Chord sounds a lot more analog, lifelike and real to my ears.

I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.


ryder
yakbob
478 posts
 
You'll get a ton of different suggestions on this one.
Here's mine...head over to audiokarma and search for the Musical Paradise MP-D2 threads. Mk2 version is the sweet spot generational-ly in my opinion.
soix
9,652 posts
 
Need to know your budget. 
grinnell
1,107 posts
 
MHDT DACs especially used are a great deal and punch above their weight class
Post removed 
big_greg
6,658 posts
 
I can't think of anything I've heard that "punches above its price point".  The old maxim, "you get what you pay for" is true for most things.  Sometimes you're paying for something other than sound quality (audio jewelry), but a $150 DAC is not going to sound the same as the best DAC you can buy for $2,000 - $3,000.  Some in that price point might sound as bad as something that only cost $150 however. 

I've heard some things that sound really good "for their price", but they are always making compromises in way or another.  For example, I have a couple of sets of headphones that are in the $150 - $200 range that I really enjoy listening to.  They are super comfortable and easy to listen to and in the case of one, it's tipped down quite a bit and is really good for listening to EDM, but in terms of sound quality, they don't really compete with my higher end headphones.

Why don't you just tell us what your budget is and get some suggestions in that price range?
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