As far as me going with Denifrips, I have an American made Schiit Bifrost and it is Btight and has thin bass. So I was looking for something different and I always wanted to try a ladder DAC.
Hegel H390 DAC
I hesitate to add yet another DAC related thread but I haven't seen this particular question asked before, so....
After owing an H390 for a year, I just got around to listening to it's onboard DAC. What? Huh? Why? I was biased -- convinced I wouldn't like because it wasn't described by reviewers as overtly"warm", like my Aqua La Voce S2.
As someone who always advocates making buying decisions based on listening, I feel quite sheepish making this confession but as this is an audio forum, not group therapy, I'll move on to the main point.
I was shocked to discover I actually prefer the Hegel's DAC to the Aqua. In my system, in my room, it is more transparent, smoother and more effortless. And, to my surprise, it conveys more emotion.
The only downside is that the Hegel's DAC is somewhat leaner in the mids than I'd prefer.
Question: which outboard DACs have a similar but more fleshed-out sonic profile under 7K, new?
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@lordrootman and that is your opinion. I, and many others, would only agree with the first half of your statement. Cheers. |
That dac is decent ,if you have the $$ the T+A 200 dac - preamp is much better on every level so good I am purchasing one soon , and through our audio multi state audio get together I have heard most everything up to insane monies.the T+A 200 at retail $7200 as a whole betters anything at 2 x it’s cost ,checkout the reviews ,and others only allow a demo it’s design is totally different then. Most. |
T+A 200 though I have never heard it gets high, high marks from anyone that has any experience listening to one, great suggestion for the OP based on his criteria. Any experience with the Preamp section in the 200, wondering if it’s on par with the DAC. OP, I’ve tried a decent amount of DAC’s in my system, another poster mentioned this already, noise and power can have a big impact on your DAC’s performance. Part of why the 390 is performing or sounding better in your set up could be it’s reducing the introduction of noise. What you are hearing with your stand alone DAC lines up with what you often hear when you have some noise, jitter finding its way into the chain, and or noise from your power source. If you want made in the USA, in your price range the new PS Audio MKii checks off the boxes for the sonic characteristics. It’s detailed, non fatiguing, smooth but not overly warm like you find with some Tube stage DAC’s or R2R DAC’s. Benchmark makes their gear in the US, they are definitely not known for being overly warm. If you thought you where open to R2R and or Tube DAC’c, LTA just came out with their first in house DAC, they are made in the US and I’ve only heard really high praise for all their gear. Bricasti gets high marks for their DAC’s and streamers, made in US, Chord another US option. If you can venture outside US, European made, Lumin, Aurilac, Aurender are all companies solely focusing on streaming and DAC’s. Whether it’s a streamer, DAC or all in one box, really hard to beat but believe all 3 brands are made in Asia. Good Luck, |
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