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.

hysteve

Best price/performance DACs in your price range:

  • T+A 200
  • Lampizator Baltic 4

I pin my multi state audio get togethers it’s been unanimous the T+A 200 dac-preamp by a large amount is better then Not only Anything  in its price class 

but betters most anything  at 2x it’s price ,find a dealer where you can audition one .I am currently saving for one and over 11 people that have listened to it bought it

and that’s against Anything under $12k  just in the north east that has heard it ,that is saying a lot no BS or hype even the preamp section  is excellent !!

@audioman58 ,

All I am saying that the HQ player is not "built in" the T+A DAC 200.

@audioman58, GoldenSound has a review up of the T+A DAC200.    He mentions major differences in sound quality between the PCM and DSD paths, and also mentions having to feed it a DSD input for best sound quality may be a pain for some folks (e.g. paying for and running HQPlayer or something similar on a powerful PC).    I fit in the latter camp as I'm happy with my PCM streamer and wouldn't personally purchase this DAC for its PCM input.    The Ferrum Wandla is next on my radar :)

 

 

I want to update my experience with the T+A DAC200. I've continued to use it and the Aurender N200 streamer and the sound opened up and I'm hearing detail I hadn't heard before so I'm now in the phase of enjoying everything (whether it be on the SSD or Qobuz).