New DAC! Meitner MA3, Denafrips Terminator Plus, Holo May KTE, Mola Mola Tambaqui
Currently have an original Schiit yggdrasil. Thinking about taking another step up or maybe two steps! Is the Holo May still good? I know I hear a lot about Denafrips. Then someone was mentioning Mola Mola.
I like the idea of the i2s HDMI connection, I believe this is so I could have my DAC decode SACD versus a player.
Also considering name brands dCS Lina, Meitner MA3, MSB?
Wilson Alexia V
Dan D'Agostino S250
Mac mini running Roon
Is anyone really winning in this space. Tough for me to demo at home as I'm 2 hours from HiFi Shops and they are kind of limited in the direct to consumer DACs.
Thank you!
Actually I'm not sure if i2s is a deal breaker or not. I'm looking at the MSB Discrete which I don't think has the option for i2s but then again it has modular input cards. If I could afford it I would get the Emm Labs DA2 V2. But my budget is about half that right now. I'm just not sure if the MA3 will beat out an MSB Discrete, plus I can upgrade it so I think it would last longer? |
@ghdprentice Sorry, didn't intend to lecture. Let me put it this way -- most people, even car enthusiasts, would consider a Toyota Camry a mid-priced car, not a budget car. And virtually anyone would call a top-of-the-line Lexus a luxury car. Both of those are true even though Bentleys exist. |
@chauncey I would suggest that you get a streamer/server/dac with I2S and or USB, otherwise you'll have to convert DSD files to DOP. Another item that is essential is a 10MHz master clock so look for equipment with a 10MHz clock input. My setup includes an Aurender N20 with a Musetec 005 DAC and MHz master clock. I store all my CDs, DVD-A and SACDs on the Aurender's SSD.
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The MSB gives you the choice of having everything in a single box. DAC, Pre-Amp, Streamer; storage is probably through a NAS. Native DSD is an option if you use the USB input module, native DSD should be possible via NAS. Everything is clocked internally. I believe by Word Clock 44.1/48KHz. Earlier models had an I2s input module, I think. You can also use an external streamer/server. The Discrete is $12,500 for the basic model without add-ons, the top model is over $100k. Lots of options.
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