+1 on the Denafrips Ares II - a hard DAC to beat at it's price point.
Your experience with an inexpensive DAC?
I have a main system and a bedroom system for late night headphone listening. I have not upgraded my digital end of the system, but do not want to spend/do too much at this point. So my question, what have my friends here at AudiogoN had success with in a DAC?
I have an Oppo and two of the better high-end, but older Pioneer Elite players. So I am thinking that a good sounding DAC may be of use to me.
I do have a prejudice I may have to set aside, as in me liking components with tubes or transistors but not op-amps/I.C. chips. Perhaps I am a dinosaur?
For what it's worth (great song) I listen mainly to classic Jazz and lean towards acoustic instruments rather than electric and I listen to many female vocals, Ella, Dinah Washington, Diana Krall, Carmen, and even though he had a bit of a messy life and a limited vocal and instrument range, I do listen to much of early Chet Baker and Paul Desmond, Miles, Earl Garner, et.al.
Thanks for your thoughts/experience, Jim
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1) i had until fairly recently a pioneer pd65 elite cdp - i would say the dac in that unit sounds as good as most modern dacs under $800, the sound is musical, not in your face, very decent resolution, excellent top to bottom coherence 2) that said, if you want to try a modern dac with a more overtly hifi (detailed, treble boosted) sound, i would suggest a chord, rme, schiit gumby, denafrips ares dac under a grand - another very good one is an ayre codex |
- Benchmark DAC3B - I use this when I want all the facts. Love this DAC though a friend tells me it lacks in the low end. I am not too sure about that. ($1600) - Topping D90SE. Maybe the best mesauring DAC out there. It also sounded good with my uber nuetral Benchmark AHB2 amps and my warmer CODA #8 amp ($900) - Gustard X26 Pro. A great DAC with warmth and detail, just not to the extreme in either. It has NOS+OS mode with 4 custom filters that actually sound different. ($1500) - I sold the Gustard last week to raise money to buy the Musetec 005. People are selling Mola Mola Tambaqui et al DACs to keep this one. I am intrigued (on sale $2969) The 3 Chinese DACs I have listed will go on sale occasionally, especially Black Friday. The following is a reputable seller. Excellent actually wihth easy warranty work. Professional Audio Online Shopping Store - LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE – SHENZHENAUDIO
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