2. digital
  3. 188806-128350

Help me pick a Dac

Budget 4000

I currently have the latest version of the Bluesound Node and a PS Audio Stellar Gaincell Dac for the digital Frontend. I stream qobuz and flac from a networked drive.
The rest of system is a Backert Lab Rhumba 1.3 , Schiit aiger monos and Zu soul 6 speakers. Also have a Nottingham horizon turntable, Hana cart and Lehman Cube phono pre. I think the modest tt sounds more natural and holographic compared to my digital frontend so I think I can do better.
Also I’m pretty isolated as far as audio goes so I’ve only heard my own system and likely will have buy without an audition.

Stu

 

 

stu20
woots's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
woots
282 posts
 

@bill_k 

Thank you for the correction!  My mistake.  I had the Lumin T2 and loved it but the T3 is even better!

magnuman's avatar
magnuman
200 posts
 

Try the Wyred4sound 10th anniversary DAC It's about $4,500 US, one of the reviewers put it up against his VPI turntable with the $5,000 Japanese cartridge and he said that the 10th anniversary DAC sounded just as analog, on that review I bought it to try it and I totally agree this thing beats DACs 3 to 4 times the price and they also give you a 30-day trial. can't beat that.

njcardave's avatar
njcardave
35 posts
 

I have a Backert Labs Rhythm 1.4 . Before I purchased an Aqua Acoustics LaScala DAC I had a Bryston BDA-3 DAC. Look For one on the preowned market. 

stu20 OP
7 posts
 

Thanks for all the input. Above my budget looking at the aurender a200as solution for the streamer as well.  
 

tweak1
3,546 posts
 

I was underwhelmed by the Stellar Dac/pre. I have a Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5 which is amazing. Absolute Sound did a great review. Do a search. One is FS on US Audiomart for $1100

hth

More to discover