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DAC recommendation in 5 to 10K range

I recently get to the point that I want to try a new DAC in $5 to $10K range and would like to know if there are recommendations I should try and audition.

 

My current DAC is a Denafrips Terminator, to me, Terminator is an overall fun DAC that provide good clarity, energy, and scale. It has strong macrodynamic focus with good impact and punch, as well as solid resolving power and texture, but I feel drawback is lacking micro dynamic capability, tonality is not organic, neither is presentation, treble is not that refined, and can sometimes get too hot and gritty. What I hope in my next DAC is a balanced DAC that lean a bit more toward the relaxed and slightly sweeter smoother side of things, great organicness, great placement accuracy and depth in overall stage, great coherency and liquidity, as well as having great impact and punch.

elan120
delm
54 posts
 

If you can audition a Meitner MA3 try ethernet from the server to the MA3.  Let the MA3 resample to DSD1024 before converting to analog.

elan120 OP
35 posts
 

If you can audition a Meitner MA3 try ethernet from the server to the MA3.  Let the MA3 resample to DSD1024 before converting to analog.

 

This is an interesting direction I have been thinking for a short while by getting a network capable DAC instead, and I may head in this way at some point.  Do you have any experience with this DAC having ethernet input from router/switch instead of server?

jgoldrick's avatar
jgoldrick
138 posts
 

Have you tried changing filters or convolution with hqPlayer?  I have a Totaldac d1core that I love.  hqPlayer with convolution help to make up for room issues.  I used REW and rePhase with a umik mic.  Definitely not easy, there is a learning curve, but worth the effort.

 

 

delm
54 posts
 

This is an interesting direction I have been thinking for a short while by getting a network capable DAC instead, and I may head in this way at some point.  Do you have any experience with this DAC having ethernet input from router/switch instead of server?

I have a MA3.  Music is on a NAS or Tidal, inexpensive switch (I think MA3 forces ethernet to 100mbps for lower receiver noise).  Check emmlabs.com for a list of reviews under "news".

soix
9,456 posts
 

Given what you’re looking for I’d take a serious look at a Mojo Mystique DAC. It’s also an R2R DAC but possibly with a more organic kinda sound you might really like. Here’s a relatively recent review of one of their most recent models, but you can read others on past models to get a better idea of the overall sound characteristics of these DACs.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/superioraudio/equipment/0221/Mojo_Mystique_EVO_B4B_21_DAC_Review.htm

Audio Note may be another make that might appeal to you as well.  Of course there are tube DACs too that probably lean more your way, but not sure if you’re open to going that direction.  My bias is to use tubes further down the chain if desired, but that’s just me.  Just another couple options FWIW, and best of luck.

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