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Recommend A New DAC Between $1000 and $2000

I am currently using an older Assemblage DAC 2.0 ( BB1702 R2R dac chip, CS8412 receiver, PMD100 filter) with many upgrade mods.  It sounds surprisingly good, but I am looking for something current and better sounding, with the following characteristics:

- Smooth, spacious, slightly warmish sound

- Smooth, non glaring, non etched higher registers (maybe sounding just a bit    rolled off, as in lacking strident edges)

- Great sound stage and depth

- Excellent resolution

- Generally natural sounding

... and at a price under $ 2000 if possible

Any ideas and / or personal experiences?

Thanks in advance!

 

 

 

fastcat95
tksteingraber's avatar
tksteingraber
614 posts
 

Great Dac no matter the price.  Nos tubes takes it up another level. 

macg19
912 posts
 

+ 1 on the Black Ice/NOS tubes

pinwa
285 posts
 

The Gustard R26 is better than the Gustard X26 and for my tastes both are better than the Pontus II.  

grinnell
1,095 posts
 

MHDT  they have several in your price range, R2R, tube, NOS

jimmy2615
438 posts
 

One DAC in your price range you won’t hear much about but I found very good for the money and similar to some of my pricier DACs was the line magnetic DAC (they make only one model).  It has one 12ax7 tube in it which I found responsive and with positive results to tube rolling. If you have a local dealer they may allow you to take it home to try it out.  I did, and was very impressed.

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