Need help choosing a new DAC
With so many options for DACs these days, I'm having a hard time deciding on a new DAC. Currently considering a MHDT Orchid or Pagoda, Denafrips Pontus II, Benchmark DAC3, Schitt Yggdrasil, or Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE. I don't need any options such as volume control, BT, or MQA. I also prefer musicality over measurements. I'm currently using a SMSL SU-9, which will be moved over to my office system. I'm tired of moving it back and forth between systems. My bank account prefers the cost of the Orchid since the other options cost up to twice as much, but I can go as high as $2500. I mostly steam Qobuz thru a Raspberry Pi 4, but also use a Cambridge Audio CXC v2 CD transport on occasion. My preamp is a Don Sachs DS2 tube preamp going into a D-Sonic m3a-1200s amp feeding "Gunned" MMGs. I mostly listen to the Grateful Dead, rock, jazz, and acoustic music. Which DAC should I get and are the any others I should look at?
Congratulations on your new purchase. Don’t forget to avoid trying to draw conclusions on its sound until after at least 200 hours of play. Break in has a significant impact… taking the edge off the treble and improving bass… making it sound more natural. It is really easy to be really happy, then notice and edge you don’t like and be dissatisfied before it is even broken in. Do leave your system on and try not to draw any negative observations for a week or two. |
@tterrapin77 Congratulations!!! You re off to a very good start given your initial listening impression. I believe that it will only improve moving forward. I do not believe that edgy/bright colorations will be an issue with the particular DAC and preamplifier you have. I strongly suspect that this pairing will prove to be exceptionally natural, full tonal body along with very good resolution. Charles |
@ghdprentice Thanks! The person I bought it from said it has around 1000 hours on it. He never used the USB input so that path will need some break in. |
@charles1dad Thanks! Definitely not edgy/bright colorations with the DAC. Other than upgrading the crossovers on my maggies to Peter Gunn's latest recommendation, I'm fairly certain that I have the system that will provide many years of listening enjoyment!! |
I have an MHDT labs Steeplechase 2 for my mac and a Kora Hermes, also tube output, that I absolutely love, for everything else. I have had less than stellar results with the Schitt gear If you ever looked under the hood of an Audio Mirror you wouldn't buy it. The Kora is built by French Aerospace engineers and it looks and sounds it.
I know a lot of people like Audio Mirror, a lot of people drink Budweiser too...
Best of luck!!
|
