You’re probably right. I should upgrade the stock tubes supplied with the ModWright before I jump into the next thing. I just wanted the amp to have it’s own voice so to speak without the preamp tubes adding more. Perhaps in the meantime, I will get some higher end tubes. Thanks for your input.
DAC recommendations
Okay. So, before this becomes the typical dac battle, let me explain what I have and what I’m looking for. My system consists of an Aric Audio Custom 300b PSET amp(almost always in class A set mode), Audio Note an-e/lx speakers, Cambridge cxn v2 streamer modified by ModWright tube dac and a Topping d90 dac. I can switch back and forth to get a tube sound from the ModWright or a more “accurate” depiction of the recording through the Topping. After a few months, I think I want something in the middle. The tube dac lacks a little clarity and the Topping is very critical of poor recordings. Both have their times when they sound better but I’m seeking a middle ground.
Here’s what I’m looking for. I would like clarity, without being analytical. But most of all, I want natural sounding! I want a piano to sound like a piano etc…Lastly, I prefer a bit more bass and less bright sounding. Does this dac exist?
Ive looked at the Denafrips Terminator 2 and would prefer not to spend $6800. Does the Venus 2 fit? Bricasti m3? Other suggestions? I have some high quality components and would like a dac to match. Thanks in advance
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@earthbound Bricasti M3. Switch to Qobuz. |
OP, If you want quality sound you want to have nothing to do with Airplay… or Apple for that matter. I am a huge fan of Apple… but not for high quality audio. Qobuz is the best streaming service for high quality audio… but Tidal is a second best… from there the quality drops. There are lots of quality DACs in the $5K range and up. Not a category I am familiar enough to recommend… other than if you could find a used Audio Research DAC that is not too old. Natural, detailed, lots of mid-range bloom. |
@earthbound - I had to do a little research to understand your setup. If I'm understanding it correctly, you have a Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Streamer with a with the ModWright upgrade ($2,500) and a Topping D90 DAC ($1,000). I only list the prices because you mentioned that seems to be a significant upgrade given the relative price points. When you're wanting something between the two you have, what's the draw for a Terminator over the Pontius or Venus options? |
Thanks for the Qobuz push gentlemen. I hate being tech lazy but I am. There’s usually a hiccup and it’s usually me! Probably time to convert. |
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