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Hi-fi digital front end suggestions for my system

Hi everyone,

I don't know much about PC based sources and was hoping for some suggestions on a reference quality digital front end. I would like something that sounds as good as my modded Sony XA9000es SACD player with a budget of up to $2000 or so (used). I really love my CDP for solo listening but I need a digital source for entertaining.

I have read some of the forum postings and it seems that the Apple is better suited for high end digital? Unfortunately, I have an IBM Thinkpad, so I don't know if that's a non-starter without going way over budget. Also which DAC should I get?

Regards,

Ed
latinsamba1
latinsamba1 OP
74 posts
 
Thanks for the responses so far. It appears that there are two very good USB DACs in my price range - the Benchmark DAC1 and the Bel Canto DAC3. The Wavelength Cosecant seems awesome but at $3500 is out of my range.

The Bel Canto is a bit over my budget but I would willingly stretch a bit if the difference in sonic performance between the two is significant. From what I have read, the power supply and the clock are both very high end which may justify the difference in price vs. the Benchmark. In either case, I plan to run the DAC into my Manley Shrimp tube preamp, so performance as a dual purpose DAC/preamp is not really my main concern. As an added benefit would the Bel Canto substantially boost the performance of my modded XA9000es (just using the Sony as the transport)?
tobias
1,534 posts
 
The Apogee Mini-DAC is another excellent USB DAC in the price range you are considering.
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,924 posts
 
I heard the Transporter in a very good hi-rez system and it was great as a standalone unit. Sounds like the Transporter has excellent built in DAC.

I am also familiar with Benchmark and Bel Canto. It is very questionable to me if either of these dacs can be better or can even compete with the Transporter. But listen if you can before you buy.
somec59
245 posts
 
Mdht Laboratory makes the Constantine non oversampling tube USB DAC. Enjoythemusic.com gave it good reviews. Designed and made in China and costs $550+-
latinsamba1 OP
74 posts
 
I just picked up the latest issue of Stereophile today with a review of the Bel Canto DAC3. The review suggested that the Bel Canto would be a good deal at half of its $2500 retail price and that the performance from its USB input fell short compared to the digital input side. By comparison, Stereophile reviewed the Transporter earlier this year and gave it a glowing review in terms of value and sonic performance for its $2000 price. I also like the fact that Modwright offers a reference modification package for the Transporter if I ever have another $2k burning a hole in my pocket...Looks like the Transporter is the way to go in the $2k and under range.

Does anyone here have a Transporter in their system? How does a stock Transporter compare sonically to your reference CD/SACD player?
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