@mikelavigne my method 4 dac replaced my soulutions 540 cd/dac player. I haven’t looked back since. It’s open airy and spacious without sounding thin and retains musicality. Has a great soundstage. It allows me to have detail but not in a clinical way. Thanks for the compliment. |
I’ve heard three DACs considered to be superior: the T+A SDV 3100 HV, the Ideon Absolute and the Linn Klimax DSM/3. However, only one of those I heard in my system - the T+A unit. They were all liquid and smooth, but none convinced me (as of yet) to purchase though i now recognize that i was feeding the T+A less optimally. That particular unit (like the one I have - the T+A DAC 200) is much better on native DSD than PCM. I use a processor to convert everything to DSD 512 in front of the DAC200. It has me wondering about auditioning the SD 3100 again sourced this way. In any case, the Linn and Ideon DACs were clearly very good, but I heard them in million dollar systems (literally - Wilson Chronosonics and Burmester reference gear for the Linn and MBL Extremes and reference MBL electronics for the Ideon) in huge, well set up rooms. So, while great, what else was I hearing? I came away thinking my system at home is actually pretty good in my limited space. Were the other systems better? Sure, but that much better considering the spend? I don’t have the discretionary income to answer that without bias. What I expect from a DAC: smoothness, resolution, authentic tonality on piano and voice - the two hardest instruments to get right in my view. The best DACs I’ve heard were just a little bit better than the one I own - I think, but haven’t compared directly. But as has been mentioned elsewhere, you can get pretty great performance if you optimize all elements of your digital system: network, cables, and source. I’ve done so and the performance I’m getting out of my DAC is really close to the best I’ve heard. |
DCS: Known for extreme transparency but lacks natural and musical qualities, resulting in a flat and boring sound. Playback Dacs Offers exceptional value for both money and performance, stepping above the DCS's signature sound. Preferred over MSB for its impressive performance as a solid state DAC. Lampizator: Provides a nice, colored sound appreciated by some but not favored by all. Aries Cerat achieves a favorable balance between PD and Lampizator, presenting a well-rounded sound that is both pleasant and user-friendly. It stands out as my personal favorite, effortlessly handling complex music with finesse and agility. |
There are so many very good to great DACs these days! I went to AXPONA earlier this month just to listen to as many DACs as I could (and there were quite a few). I ended up purchasing a Bricasti M21. Why, you may ask. I have perhaps an unusual explanation. As time has passed, more and more I cannot recall the specifics of each presentation I attended, even if they were quite marvelous -- except for one, which was the Bricasti M21. It was exceptional when I heard it, and I can still clearly remember some of the tracks played and my reactions when hearing them. I have to mention, however, that the rest of the Bricasti room's demo system was also terrific, so, to a certain extent this purchase is a leap of faith on my part because I have been unable to hear it on my own system. |
