2. digital
  3. 169752-3610

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
romanesq
93 posts
 
Yet another vote for.... wait for it.... the RME ADI-2.

In my system, it's a revelation and for the money, you can't go wrong. It's certainly worth a try. For those who want to go the R2R route, it certainly sounds like their are good options on that front too for similar ballpark as requested here earlier but that also requires a preamp of unknown cost.

Using the RME ADI-2 with tube amp mono blocks and no preamp. It's an astounding pairing. (I also run off battery power as others.)
rajugsw
219 posts
 
My take :

I gave up on Vinyl 5 years ago and never looked back. Those LP’s are all ripped to my hard drive and on DVD discs for backup.

To get that LP like sound from Digital as I learned won’t come from an AVR (Marantz SR5011) or from the DAC of a Sony BluRay player (UBP-X1000ES).

DSD as I knew 20 years ago is the equal to a finely pressed LP (screw the haters). DSD over PCM to my ears doesn’t cut the Mustard (which I’m allergic to BTW).

I knew not to waste my time and money on all those cheap ChiFi DAC’s being schlepped by various YouTuber’s and print magazines for that matter. I went PS Audio as a leap of faith and of course I’d already enjoyed their M700 Amps & Stellar SGCD/Preamp.

I bought the PS Audio DirectStream DAC Sr. and got excellent deal via trade in of the SGCD and some secret discounts they offered me. After 30 days it didn’t go back and is still in my system almost two years later.

I did a head to head Video last year against the Denafrips Terminator and my partially biased opinion still won me over with PS Audio. There were times as I mentioned in the Video where I forgot which DAC I was listening to. I’ve also listened to the Holo May DAC Kitsune Edition at two different friends’ homes but sadly not in my rig where it matters the most. I’m not a Trumper but I refuse to buy ChiFi on principle. Of course components in U.S. made are made in China 🇨🇳 and there nothing you can do about it.

https://youtu.be/FHO07PFHj60

But I’d rather pay more for products designed and manufactured here that help pay for peoples mortgages, car loans, rent, and so forth.

If I bought a cheapo DAC, it’d be Schiit for sure !
jpsreno
77 posts
 
inexpensive:  RME ADI-2  Dac FS

excellent sound. good DAC chip and feature rich
dougeyjones's avatar
dougeyjones
163 posts
 
The best measuring DACs in the world based on the ESS9038 Pro can be had for less than $1k. I have an SMSL SU-9 and it outperforms basically everything that’s not based on the same chipset. 

Fully expecting everyone in here to only link to lower performing DACs for 4x the price though. Enjoy wasting your money!
lemonhaze
416 posts
 
@herman, well said, I fully agree, measurements alone mean zero. ASR states that he does not need to listen because the measurements tell him what it will sound like!
 @romanesq   For those who want to go the R2R route, it certainly sounds like their are good options on that front too for similar ballpark as requested here earlier but that also requires a preamp of unknown cost

You make it seem like all R2R DACs need a preamp. Would you care to elaborate on that statement. The Wadia I mentioned in my post certainly doesn't.
More to discover