Best DACs under $7,000.00

@gregjacob

Here’s Holo Audio May KTE and Denafrips Terminator + comparison with some sound samples (hard to judge on youtube but gives some idea).

May KTE vs. Denafrips T+

Another YouTube review (part 1, you’ll find part 2 there as well).

May KTE review

I have considered these 2 DACs but in the end went with the Bricast M3 w/network player which allowed me to get rid of my Lumin streamer (one less box to deal with). Built in the USA, solid design, looks great IMO and I dig the sonic presentation (agree with @verdantaudio here on his description). I use Network Acoustics Eno streaming system (Ethernet cable plus filter) to feed the DAC and find the M3 in this configuration to be transparent, resolving, neutral and not analytical by any means. It throws a very good size soundstage as well. I can listen to it fatigue-free endlessly without any desire to lower the volume or walk out of the room to take a break. There are no digital artifacts that I can detect and the tone of instruments as rendered by the M3 is very natural. The M1SE is supposed to be even better but I never auditioned it so can’t offer any experience based thoughts. 

I’m probably going to state the obvious here but I think there’s almost always going to be a compromise with the DACs in this price range. You really must audition a DAC extensively in your system for at least several days and not rely on the first impressions.

Crane Song HEDD Quantum gets you very close to the Nagra HD DAC X at a street price of 4299. Seductive analog sound from both units with the Nagra just a bit smoother.

Eye opening to see all the DAC's recommended. Pitily haven't compared the Crane Song to any of them.

* There is an Analog to Digital converter integrated into the Crane Song. Prolly most users on this forum will never use that capability.

To audphile1:

Thanks for taking the time to share advice.  The higher-end Bricasti with network looks great and losing boxes and connectors would be welcome. As the discussion has progressed, of course, the temptation is to up the ante to try and reach a different level. It might be worth it to just hold with the equipment one has for a while longer, save up more and leap upward to a more worthwhile change. Thanks so much.

To chowkwan:

No, you are the first to put forward the Crane Song DAC.  So much of what is reviewed, esp. professionally, will focus on larger manufacturers and mainstream usage.  Small independent companies with long wait times to order will always fall below.  But if the Crane DAC is as good as you say--comparing it with a $70k Nagra--it should be splashing all over the audiophile forums. I couldn't quickly find any thorough reviews on it or comparisons with other DACs.  But this thread may generate fresh buzz.  Thanks for bringing this to the table.

I would definitely revise my suggestion based on the different speakers.  Bricasti would remain.  As would Audiobyte and Rockna.  I would also look at the Wavelight from Rockna which is a bit warmer than the Bricasti and I would definitely second Aqua.  It will be warmer than Bricasti but is good sounding.  Don’t bother with Weiss or Chord.