Accuphase dac 60

What is your opinion on the link to the ps audio stellar gain dac? I really just use the xlr because I had two sets of the kimber hero in my system for so long. I have nothing against the rca hookup at all.

There seems more emphasis on its preamplifier capabilities than as a DAC. Doesn’t mean that the DAC section isn’t good. As has been said, at 2K you have numerous good options. 

I definitely agree with above comments about single end vs XLR/balanced connections. Most certainly depends on design focus, optimization and implementation. Don’t just assume that balanced is better by default. Not true, circumstances and specifics matter. 
 

Some of the absolute best sounding audio systems I have heard were  single ended (RCA) connected from one end to the other.

Charles

i don't have an informed opinion on ps audio's gain cell dac

i did have their former top-of-line fpga directstream dac for some time, with windom then sunlight firmware versions, it was a decent dac, but to my ear outperformed by others in its (admittedly high) price category

I am just wondering and probably should be at a step up from my current 18 year old  ps audio digital link iii dac? It’s a free 30 day in home trial before I have to return my older dac or the stellar dac. I just pay for shipping on the return, which ever I decide.

or… I could go a total opposite direction and upgrade my accuphase integrated to a Hegel h590 and have an all in one setup through my 1 year trade up program. Just throwing this out there. It is an option I do have. 
 

I can’t demo it as no one around me has hegel or Accuphase. When I bought the Accuphase integrated, I just took a chance hoping I would like it and luckily I did.

Any of you running the hegel h390 or 590? Every review seems positive.

thanks again everyone

I am honestly thinking I should try another dac 60 card, possibly something wrong with the one I had. From the few reviews I have read on the dac 50 card are all positive. I mean they make top notch stuff, so it should be an awesome dac. I will talk to the dealer this morning and get his thoughts.

it is just overwhelming for me with all these options out there that makes the dac 60 seem so much easier and simpler.

scratch that post above. I like this integrated to much to exchange it. I was just letting you guys know I had that option.

Thanks 

Well, besides the gain that I know about now and reading on another  thread here about it, I believe I found the problem with the testing.

My son and a friend where moving some furniture for me and finally told me they bumped my rack. 

found one xlr cable end was messed up at the ps audio output & my coaxial cable from my CD player was screwed up. They got pinched between my stand and the wall and where working intermittently, I believe when the sub was hitting low notes. I was able to finally get down there and shake the cables around and they were definitely causing issues.
 

I replaced all cables with spares I had and it is sounding better now, back to normal. Stupid coincidence the same time I had the dac 60. I can’t move or check anything because I had rotator cuff surgery three weeks ago. Plus he moved some equipment around for me. So, something happened in that time period.

he’s 17 and I guess was nervous to mention it. So, the dac 60 card will be returning to me by next week. What a mess. It was driving me nuts why everything sounded so off sometimes.

Just thought everyone deserved an update.