Advice needed: It's time for a new DAC

Hi @audiotroy 

Thank you for your reply.  To answer your questions:

what are you using currently using?
An RME-ADI2fs

how wil you feed the dac?
A Lumin U1

How does this information help you answer my initial question?

I use AES/EBU right now and I would likely keep it the same, hence why the Berkley made the list.  For context, I have, in the past owned an MSB Analog, a Berkley Alpha V1 and a Chord DAVE.  I owned each, however, when I was in a condo and I was exclusively using headphones.  Now, I exclusively use speakers. 

Hello @ghdprentice !

Thank you so much.  I really appreciate your comment as you've owned the Berkeley.  The CD9SE...  WOW!  I really adore AR stuff.  The some of best amps I've heard (save the Boulder 2160) have been AR.  

Thank you for your kind words.  My wife doesn't like carpet, however, when I have a serious listening session, I do put down two thick blankets on the floor.  It's an interesting idea you had about putting absorption in front of the fireplace. I have a bit of a fuzzy center image because of it and I never considered movable panels.

I have 4 5" thick Vicoustic panels on the walls behind the DAW's.  They make a minor difference as-is, but I wonder if they were on a discrete stand with casters that I rolled out (like the blankets on the floor) if that would help...  Very astute observation and thank you for the advice.

@bigfatpaulie When I want to evaluate DACs I use my headphones (RAAL SR1a or CA-1a) to really hear my gear. When you had your phones which DAC did you like the best? The DAC I own now is what sounded the best on my phones.

Tidal vs Qubuz. I have both and I do not even think about it. Just enjoy the music with which ever has the tune I want.

I grew up in Toronto and there were a lot of good shops then. I still see some of the same stores around and some new ones with even higher priced gear. 

BTW - how long is your speaker cables?

@bigfatpaulie In all honesty, the T+A DAC 200 should be in that list above considering all of the priorities you list (soul, holography, and resolution). I've said it before but I still think the DAC 200 is the best I've heard under $15K. In full transparency I am a T+A dealer, but I've had more than one customer switch from the DAVE to the DAC 200 because of its improved sound staging ability and soulfulness.

I’m really liking the Cen.Grand Deluxe DSD DAC, but hell... I LOVE my Tambaqui. I’d recommend the MMT, but the Cen D³ is excellent, and my biggest praises for it are in comparison with yet another DAC, two Intergarated amplifiers and a power amplifier

Of the three DAC’s you listed I would pick the Berkely V3, since I’ve heard less criticisms about it, but truthfully have heard less overall about it compared to the others.

My Cen D³ bests my T+A DAC200 in sound stage size, depth, and especially transient decay. I swear you can "hear" the air in the room whilst the artist was recording in between notes and at moments of silence. Just a very cool sound, almost to the effect that my Luxman M10x brought to my system when first listening (prior to the Cen D³). Secondly the Cen D³ made the sound presentation for my Technics SU-R1000 almost indistinguishable from my Riviera labs Levante. So the Cen D³ brings a "tube like" sound to a Class AB digital integrated amp that neared the liquidity in sound of an amazing hybrid amp. I was so impressed at how much character the SU-R1000 took on with the Cen D³ (good character at that).

Ultimately my MMT is my favorite, but the Cen D³ with the Levante just makes what I love about both pieces of gear stand out even more, not too mention the Cen D³’s volume control is better then the somewhat finicky Levante and allows me to run the JL subs via RCA out.

All and all I highly recommend the Cen D³.

My only digs are that the company’s reputation is unproven along with product service/support. I’ve ran into customs tearing apart my unit packaging and just throwing everything back into the box. I had a coaxial input issue with this unit and am otherwise am awaiting a second replacement unit. But still would recommend it. I’ve been swapping all my gear in and out with it and it sounds great with pretty much everything I own at all price points.