jackd
The S3 is No longer there at Audiogon but, thanks for the insight. I’ll keep checking the markets for one to come available.
What’s the best DAC < 6k (system specific)
I have a decent DAC built into my SS integrated amp but think I can do better with a stand-alone. I’m looking for accuracy, definition and sound stage. Emphasis on sound stage. I have few vinyl albums and find that the ones that sound really good are quite expensive. So, trying to improve the streaming to it brings or approximates that magical HQ vinyl sound. Maybe I’m chasing a red herring but, from what I read, there are some boxes out there that can come darn close. Has anyone compared the Holo May KTE with the T+A DAC 200 or similarly priced products? I know the T+A is a little more but I don’t mind used too. I went from Border Patrol SEi to Ayre Codex to Ayre QB9 Twenty. When I changed my Pass Int 60 amp to one with built in DAC, I thought it sounded better than the QB 9. Actually the QB 9 had more detail than the amp DAC. However, Using the new amp’s (Hegel 590) DAC bypass, to my ear, the QB9 is somewhat fatiguing during extended sessions so, I’m using the smoother, marginally less detailed Hegel built in DAC. There are no places to demo equipment near me so, I have heretofore depended on forums such as this for decisions, of wihich have been very satisfactory thus far. I love pure jazz sounds like the guitar plucked from the fingers of Bill Frisell and John Schofield; the edgy sound of a tenor saxophone; the sultry female voices of Melody Gardot, Chantal Chamberlain and others. Enjoy classic rock as well.
My system:
Hegel 590 Integrated Amp+DAC
digital streamer pis Innuos Zenith MK3 with Innous Phoenix reclocker (strmg Qobuz)
analog is VPI Classic/Transfiguration Axia cart into Parasound JC3+
Magico A3 spkrs w/Audio Sensibility Statement cables.
I was using Audio Sensibility Statement silver interconnects for the QB 9 which I still have to use with a stand-alone.
I know that good sound is more often a matter of taste. However, I am still interested in the opinions of others in this forum and welcome yours if you have one.
Thanks in advance.
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@hysteve I have the Chord TT2 and Chord Mscaler it’s a very dimensional and easy to listen to pair. I also use Auralic Aries G2.2 as my streamer, and Shunyata Sigma USB, and a pair of Shunyata Sigma v.2 BNC terminated S/PDIF’ cables for the dual input setup. It sounds really really good. Fast, dynamic, musical, focused.. very easy to listen to. |
This statement is not correct. I checked on Audiophilestyle site and understand that many users use the HQ Player to upscale PCM to 256/512 DSD which is a pure an separate path in the DAC 200.
@dz13 ,
I suggest that you search the head-fi site and read up some user feedback on the PCM side of the DAC 200. While most people rave about the DSD side of this DAC, apparently the PCM section is also no slouch. It is just that it take about 100+ hours to get to it's best. |
The HQ player for the T&A 200 dac is a true statement it has several algorithms built in ,as an option to use if you want to incorporate HQ player to Taylor the sound to your taste ,and it’s built into the back end of Roon even Innuos now except it , my friend owns one There fore what I am stated is true. It is a built in Option, Your choice ,and the program is around $200 and you have to have extra HD space and minimum 8 mgs of ram 16 preferred. |
Without any doubt I have heard most everything out there and Ithe T+A 200 dac buying a demo,or decent discount you can buy one I have not found Any dac even at 2x the price that is better i a currently saving for one but have 2 friends that own one ,it is special ,it is very natural and nothing in your face and plenty of depth of 8mage and texture , check out the reviews in print and you tube tthe closest in price the Holosprings may KTE,and Denafrips terminator + 12th , but are not on this level. |
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