dacs that I have had in my system - a listing

@jjss49 decooney i did not... long long story with my efforts over the decades trying to find a high efficiency speaker i can truly live with long term ...but despite my efforts, i continue to strike out after so so many at bats... just too much transducer distortion for my ears in some form, in each case.

If you have not tried it yet, the new (redesigned) Klipsch Cornwall IV is known to be a bit of a microscope for noticing differences in component changes. Paired with a nice 300B amp like yours, could be kinda fun. I helped a few friends design/build cabinets for three pairs of revealing Altec Onken replicas, too big for my place. But, would be nice to try some Cornwall IVs. I can imagine they could reveal differences in dac testing and sound nice too. Checking with my local dealer to go listen, I’m interested in hearing the midrange they offer. A big fan of the old style...wall of sound for amp and dac testing... :) 

@decooney If you like the Bifrost 2/64 so much, why are you selling it?

"I still have it for now as a reference dac to rotate back to compare."

@vinylvalet Was not to be my primary dac long term, already had something in the works, and it caught me off guard. I have a 2nd system I was thinking of putting together and thought I’d use it there - making any reasons to try and keep it..., unfortunately that’s not going to happen. Need to part wtih it and some other gear for other unplanned expenditures that just came up at home. Gonna end up likely selling my other beloved 50w Class A SS amp too, and a bunch of other stuff having to let go of. House rules here, no extra-extra spares lying around - argh. No extra speakers or parts left, all other cables gone now too. Limited storage and any overlap or duplication eventually has to go here. I’m certain I’ll regret selling both and wish I had it back later.Weeks back I recently picked up a new custom built Border Patrol SE-I, and wanted to also try that for a different configuration in my main system I use, covering costs for that too. Would absolutely love to keep it around that’s for sure. Can’t have it all I guess, had to list it - bleh, waaaahhh, not allowed to be spoiled here.For the $, that BF 2/64 is something I know I’m absolutely going to regret parting with, oh well. It’s a neat dac though. Thanks for asking.

Thanks. Great price on that other site for anyone looking for one.

Great list! Legit proof (needed by some out there) that all dacs are not created equal. I’m interested in knowing more about your comment above-

“dacs are set up in a/b and even a/b/c configuration, easily switchable to allow comparison when needed”

Can you share more on how your going about that and how you avoid any additional tonal coloration or distortion in the approach?
In my system I can switch between four dacs at a time from a single source with no noticeable affects (once level matched)- just curious about your approach.

@designsfx ,

- All DACs sound the same to guys with incapable speakers, compromised speaker/listener positioning and a lack of room treatments.

- Above a certain price point, DACs get into the intricacies of soundstage depth, layering and spatial nuance, which in turn, adds to its perceived detail retrieving capability.

- Guys with the above mentioned deficiencies won't hear much of a difference.

IME, well designed/higher end concentric driver designs (if placed optimally in a treated room) are more conducive to this level of detail perception. Other types of designs have been a hit/miss.