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DAC with the best midrange ever.....

Please keep this topic straight to the question and try not to go off tangent. I am very specific with this need.
Most musical and melodic dac, I DONT LIKE the new benchmark dac even with all the rave out there that much but I liked the Musical Fidelity A324 dac.
The Audio Aero Capitol was nice but I prefered the SONY SCD1 even though its much older. I am a huge analog fan...
This should give you an idea as to what I am actually trying to find if you have had any of the mentioned units.
thanks
rapogee
jax2
3,031 posts
 
The MHDT Havana bests the Paradisea and is priced accordingly. I tried to like the Benchmark (new and old versions) but did not like either one. My favorite is my current Modwright Transporter. It's one of the most natural sounding DAC's I've heard, especially with the right tubes. Disclaimer: Modwright is one of my clients. Kicks some midrange ass and will give you detail to write home about. Musical as all get-out. YMMV. I completely agree with the previous opinion that there is no "best"...just personal preferences.
rapogee OP
256 posts
 
Well my system is high resolution for sure.
I wont get too much into details...Ayre K1e / Krell power / Wilsons and Apogees (2 systems) / Transparent cables along with Audience on the rest.

Digital Sources I have had:
Audio Aero Capitole mk2
Theta Transport / Dac Gen V
Meridian 500 / 563
Musical Fidelity Trivista
Audiomeca Transport / DAC
GENESIS Lens (still have this)
Micromega Transport / DAC1
Audiolab Transport / DAC
Krell CD300
Levinson 36 DAC
DCS Elgar / Verdi

I have moved to a music server now...... looking at DAC's such as WADIA / EMM Labs or maybe even to Meridian or levinson..I liked these ones in particular.
rtn1
535 posts
 
My philosophy is to seek a high quality, high resolving DAC. Then, work with the signal downstream to fine tune to your system. I have a great midrange and lower-end with the addition of Elrod power cords, gold fuses, Jade Audio Hybrid Gold cables, and a BAT preamp. The gold cables are particularly notable for a full and natural midrange without any loss of detail.

Also, you may wish to consider that the Krell may be a limiting step for your midrange. So, you should consider a system approach rather than trying to achieve all your goals at the source.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Rtn1 may have hit the nail on the head. You may want to explore tube power amps or at least a tube DAC but a tube power amp will probably make the biggest difference in the direction you seek.
rapogee OP
256 posts
 
I am so sorry to say this to some but The Krell stays!!!! That's not the problem. Its the source I am looking for.I had all the tubes amps you can imagine and finally got out of them. Audio Research Reference Pre and Monos/ Sonic Frontiers / CJ's ( It does not come any sweeter that this and after years I realized thats not the problem. tubes have a special character but that's not the character I am looking for, I gave up more of my music having tubes and we wont discuss about there here)and found out my set up now can be as smooth or even warmer that tubes, patience / cable changes / tweeks and largest investment was time and measuring tapes that got me where I am now.
What I am trying to say is we wont go to other components in this thread and stay with the source issue since that where it lies in my chain. I am sure it varies from system to system.
Thank for the advise though.
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