What the Best Dac have you heard or owned. How could you tell it was that good.

@mesch I did this so that many people would read it and depending on what price point you can afford they would all get suggestions.  My system is pretty much on the higher end. So I typically go towards certain ones because of where my system is at but I will soon do a smaller back up system. So lower price points will be in that one but I still want good performance. 

@calvinj

Yes, the Esoteric N01XD SE is amazing.  I upgraded from the prior XD.  I would rank it up there with the $40k DSC model.

to properly judge a dac, you need to also consider the server feeding it. and the quality of the A/C power grid, and even the power supplies of the dac and the server. it all matters when you are chasing ultimate performance.

the best dac i have heard is my Wadax Reference dac. that includes the Wadax Reference server. 30 months ago they arrived and i compared it directly in my system to my 4 year reference, the MSB Select II + the Taiko Extreme server. here.

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/wadax-reference-dac-and-server-arrive.34173/

2 months ago i added the Wadax Reference server power supply which boosted the performance further.

and a month ago i auditioned 3 Wadax Akasa DC power supply cables (1 between the server and separate power supply, and 2 between the two dac power supplies and the dac) which took things to another level beyond. very spendy. i very reluctantly returned the demo Akasa cables to my dealer, and i ordered the cables two weeks ago and should recieve them mid May. Wadax calls adding these cables "Level 4".

here is an interview with Javier from Wadax about ’Level 4’ and other Wadax details. comments on the Akasa DC cables and "Level 4" starts at 11:39 time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Q0Z1aamWaQE

the performance of the Wadax is remarkable, and the only thing i can compare it to is my vinyl and tape performance which is at a high level.....not any other dac or server.

i do listen to 70% digital and look forward to "Level 3 Wadax.......soon to be level 4" every day.

@mikelavigne im actually feeding mines for a stripped down mini cpu that took all non audio functions out streaming from audiarvana. Just want the server to get out of the way. I use our Infigo power cords that just get out of the way and let the music flow.  I tried top of line Melco.  Tried a couple other things. This sounds best. 

@calvinj

today a friend asked me for a dac recommendation below the Wadax and below the MSB Select II, and i did mention that i’ve really enjoyed the Infigo digital at the Seattle Show last June, and also at Axpona 24’ too. i cited that Axpona room as better than good in my Axpona report. it’s a below the radar dac that deserves some serious attention. a balanced involving sound that is less digital sounding than most.