Too bad space is a concern. I have had the LAB 12 for a year and still love it. Like you mentioned it has great tone.
Sweet Sounding DAC
Ok, here's another one of those threads seeking DAC guidance. Certainly, I have started more than my share of such questions.
This search started as a need to find a smaller DAC and streamer due to overcrowding in my cabinet. Current players Bricasti M3 and M5. But as I started looking and listening, I realized there is a sonic search as well; just to complicate the process. As much as I like the Bricasti gear, I have always yearned for a softer- perhaps more tube/ analogue sound. So the search got harder. Here are some of the contestants with my questions/ comments or concerns. I seek advice from those who actually own or know the gear to follow , I will try to be brief. BTW my budget is essentially what I can recoup from selling the Bricasti gear. So lets say 3500 to 5000 ( if I sell both pieces). The first 4 I have sampled, the rest I have read about
1. Wattson Madison; great size. Found vocals a little off/ sounded better w external streamer - but then whats the point of the DAC / Streamer
2. Lab 12 DAC: loved the sound; too big a footprint. Great vocal tone
3. Konus : real nice, still a strong contender
4. Merason Frerot with LPS: not for me ( suprisingly)
5. Audio Note: would need to be entry level due to size. Is it good enough?
6. Gold Note DS-10 + Evo. Looks good on paper; has anyone heard it? Some dealers are not so high on it
7. Ferrum Wandla: looks good on paper but would add a box ( LPS ) to my cabinet. Anyone hear it? Word is that is a rich - smooth tone
8. Audio 11 Sagra: not much to go on but supposed to be smooth and sweet sounding
9. Border Patrol: some love it and some don't. Cannot fathom who is right.
10. AudioMirrow Tubadour. Seemed like a strong contender until a user told me its not that sweet sounding. More neutral in tone. I was bummed to hear that. Not sure it has the Lab 12 tone I seek.
I think thats enough to choose from.
Any insights would be appreciated. Please refrain from snarkiness....I much too tired for snark, But I do appreciate the help.
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Hello mdrone! Sony made a very sweet sounding DAC/headphone amp, now discontinued. I have tried lots of DACs, have eight at the moment. The Sony beats them all. Model is PHA-3. I got one new, in the box for half price:$500. Very nice smooth sound, instantly became the main DAC.Runs off two USB ports. Power and signal are seperate. Happy Listening. |
I have heard most everything out there that has been reviewed if you have $7k the T+A 200 dac is the best dac I have heard under $15k I stand by That statement, read a few reviews then seek out a dealer to give it agood listen, 4 guys I have met in the north east owns one , myself it will be my early Xmas 🎅 present , for comparison chord David ,Denafrips Terminator12th+ which is not worth it , Lampi Golden gate, Aqua , PS Audio Bricasti M1SE, they are all good , but not the realism the T+A 200 brings plus it Has HQ player built in ,to complement Roon ,or any one wishing to tune your dac even further. with a bunch of options and beautiful functional meters , A true bargain . |
Best get busy auditioning as all you will get here are biased opinions. https://tmraudio.com/components/d-a-converters/weiss-dac204-d-a-converter/ |
4 guys, wow! I have been on forums that have hundreds/thousands of customers/owners of the dac I have, but that doesn’t mean the OP will like it over the others he listed. My dac is also listed in stereophile’s A+ category of DACs which means jacksh$t because of 2 reasons: I don’t trust steteophile reviewers and you need to go listen for yourself to see if you think it’s worth the $$$ and if the synergy is there with the rest of your gear. We did a dac shootout with a half dozen DACs using our system, in our room, which is the only way to really tell what’s best for you |
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