DAC’s


Hello, curious on everyone’s thoughts. I’m still building my system. I came across a really good deal on a Meitner MA3 dac. It’s from an authorized dealer and they offered to sell me one NIB for 7k. I have read and read about dacs and I am getting tired. Haha. I really like the Denafrips Terminator 2, Holo and the lumin T3 being the cheapest of them all. Once I factor in a streamer I am already close or over the 7k. Also I don’t need a dac for anything other then just streaming. Thank you 

shtr74sims

Do an in home demo and let your ears tell you what to do.

One mans garbage is another mans gold. 

 

Totally agree with @12many I have 2 DAC's with streaming capability but prefer a separate streamer/server. Using the Innuos Zenith in one system and the Statement in another (separate networks).

 

 

i have had no experience with emm or meitner dacs but of course they have a strong reputation

if someone had a very nice system and asked me what dac/streamer they should get for $6-7 grand i would recommend any of the following 4, based on my personal experience, and their usage criteria and sonic bent

1) chord m scaler and hugo tt2 -- will need streamer to supply usb output, so might exceed $7 grand a bit, but the sound is simply top notch

2) bricasti m1 se with network card -- superb integrated streamer and dac

3) weiss 501/502 - loaded with useful features to a level not matched by the previous two, wonderful crystal clear sound

4) msb analog dac with power base - older dac, but r2r unit with that special very analog (the unit is very aptly named imo) presentation, a touch less razor sharp a touch less uber-focused sound, but oh so natural sounding

all 4 have the ability to control analog output volume, which i value greatly, the msb even has an analog input, so it is 2 input linestage in addition

i have not tried the holo may many like it, i did try the denafrips terminator i did not feel it is at the same level as the other 4 i mentioned

my 2 cents, hope it is helpful

$10,000 for a DAC? Someone's priorities, i.e., the important ones, the social ones, are out of whack. Never mind that the claim that there is a audible difference of $9700. Or is the $3000 device a piece of crap? Or or we just saying, "I've got money to blow?" And little common sense?

Even as practical advice, this is worthless to anyone who lives in a world of budgets.