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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
dsper
663 posts
 

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 @mryder 

If you are enjoying the Chord ($5,000 give or take?), my personal opinion is that you may not be content with any $500 DAC.

I worked my way through all sorts of delta sigmas, and until I heard an R2R, I was not happy with my system. My first R2R was a Theta DS ProBasic III and I loved it. The sterile and analytical sound was mostly gone.Cost me like $500 a couple of years ago and retailed for about $2500 when new. 

I decided to explore R2R a bit more and bought a Sorekris single ended just to try it. In my system, it is more detailed and analytical, while the Theta is more full and organic. 

My most recent DAC purchase was a Mojo Audio EVO 3 ($3000 used) and it is a definite large step above both the Theta and Soekris. A general comment would be that it provides the detail of the Soekris and the body of the EVO. I can hear emotion in vocals better than before and no treble sterility. 

I am waiting on a new Mojo Audio Mystique B4B and am counting on the higher quality parts and stronger power supply to get me closer to my version of nirvana. 

While I am waiting on the new DAC, guess what I am listening to in the meantime? The Theta.

FWIW and YMMV

Thanks for listening, 

Dsper



 

 

 

 

nutty
2,932 posts
 

I'm currently using the Naim NDAC. Refreshed by AV Options. It retailed for $4,000. at debut and uses the same chipset as their $20,000 CD 555. There is one currently listed here on Audiogon. 24/192, FLAC, WAV and Apple Losses. 2 usbs, 4 optical inputs, 2 BNC Inputs, 2 RCA inputs. Charges your IPhone too. 

N

larsman's avatar
larsman
2,007 posts
 

I currently use a Holo May DAC, and it's wonderful; I had been using DAVE + M Scaler, but I much prefer the Holo May in both my 2-channel and headphone setup. So I'll be selling my DAVE + M Scaler! And the Holo May was about the same price as just the M Scaler alone....

arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,684 posts
 

@larsman  this is indeed very high praise for the Holo May. I was planning to buy a new dac next year, and you've definitely piqued my interest. Can you describe the differences between these two setups?

larsman's avatar
larsman
2,007 posts
 

@arafiq - yes, I was thinking that this was one of the most hyped up things I'd ever seen a few months ago, both on vids and in forums and articles, but I had to check it out.

It all depends on what kind of sound one likes. Somebody who is very into super detailed and uncolored sound would be very, very well served by DAVE, with or without M Scaler, though that thing is amazing.

I like a more colored, tubey sound so I've been using tube headphone amps and tube 2-channel preamp; currently it's an Audis Nirvana for the headphones. With Utopia headphones, it puts out a very deep, spacious soundstage that is a delightful listen, and while it's got plenty of detail, that's not it's strong point. Same with 2-channel - just got more of the kind of qualities that I like with the Holo May, but the Chord gear is great too, but a tad 'dry/clinical' for my taste....

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