2. amps-preamps
  3. 186809-130193

any current integrated amps in market have great dacs?

I know built in dacs have historically have been a bit of an afterthought, currently looking at the Rotel Michi X3 series 2 as it has a nice chip set

any other integrated amps around the same price point  with a good dac built in?

 

 

 

audiocanada
barts's avatar
barts
745 posts
 

@dave777tx 

Yes the Boulder integrated has an outstanding DAC in it and is overall a fabulous product.

Regards,

barts 

tiagocarneiro
4 posts
 

Has anyone tried the Aavik U-180, U-280, or U-580.
Outstanding gear, specially the latest.
Neverthless i opted to buy the respective separates: Aavik I-580 and Aavik D-580.
Amazing human, organic, natural and lifelike sound.

ddgtt's avatar
ddgtt
75 posts
 

The Mola Mola Kula integrated amp, the Kula, has the famous Tambaqui DAC built into it.  As an option you can get the Kula integrated with or without a DAC and a phono stage.  The optional DAC circuit inside the integrated amp is the same as the Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC.  The Tambaqui has been praised by numerous reviewers as one of the finest DACs available at any price.  So, if you want an integrated amp with a world class DAC the Mola Mola Kula is it. 

mbmi's avatar
mbmi
600 posts
 

The new Peachtree Carina is excellent for the $$ and they have a trade up program...If you can find a used Aavik U-150 for under 10K , Buy it.....best dac and MC phono stage Steve Huff ever heard in an integrated.....I own one 20K new...it's better than their new gear DAC and phono stage wise in MHO .

cundare2
287 posts
 

Anybody have the chance to compare McIntosh’s DAC1 to its DAC2? The MA-5300 integrated ships only with the earlier model & requires a $1000 dealer-only upgrade to replace it with the DAC2.

That’s frustrating. I see no reason why this upgrade couldn’t be done at the factory when the unit is ordered.  Visiting the Mac dealer closest to me would require getting on a plane; and two-way shipping of even the relatively light MA-5300 would run $800-1000. You can buy a pretty nifty little late model HiFi Rose DAC/streamer that offers a much better interface for that kind of money.

It baffles me why the company won't allow users to buy its mid-priced integrateds with the better DAC pre-installed, especially since many live in states that don’t have dealerships. But my threshold question is simpler: Is the difference between the two DACs significant enough to justify a nearly $2000 upgrade?

 

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