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.
I added a Denafrips Gaia DDC to my Terminator (original with DSP upgrade) and used an i2S connection between the Gaia and DAC. I was very surprised by the improvement. More dynamic, smoother sounding, and improved sound stage. I've since upgraded to a Terminator Plus which I'm very happy with, but just adding the Gaia to the original Terminator was a very noticeable improvement. |
@auroravengeance im thinking about trying the Teac 701n because it has the analog preamp. I’m using an Aries G2 now, but I plan on selling it. I think the Teac with the Teac external clock might be worth a try |
@phastm3 The Teac 701N is pretty good, though at this price point you might want to give Rockna Wavelight a listen too because it has an analog preamp too. I've heard good things too about SPL Director MK2 which is also at this price point. I plan to drop by the showroom sometimes next week to audition SPL stuff, will report my finding on the DAC as well. |
@auroravengeance I tried the wavelight last year. The preamp section is hard to use since you have to use a phone or tablet app to control the volume. The SPL looks interesting. |
The just released Lumin T3 should be in this mix, it uses Lumin’s latest processing, uses the X-1 analog output stage, and incorporates Leedh volume control so it can be effectively used without a preamp. The Lumin P-1 also fits into this category perhaps equalling the X-1 performance and adding ST Optical input, HDMI, and just receiving a stellar review in TAS. |
