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dac recommendations for turntable listener?

hi everyone, kindly asking for your dac suggestions. im almost 100% a turntable listener, but recently picked up a DirectStream Dac for those times I cant find the vinyl, its too expensive, or it simply doesn't exist. im looking for suggestions as im not happy with the DirectStream dac, its just not to my liking. its too sharp up top, too thin in the lower midrange, other than that everything else is pretty great. id like to get, if possible, a dac that sounds more like my turntable. I feel like I would get mostly there if the midrange was fuller, and the top end was softer. 

my current system is marantz tt15 , dynavector 20x2, icon audio ps3 mk ii, primaluna prologue premium, and elysian 4 speakers. 

the current dacs I was looking to switch to were lab 12 dac, primaluna evo 100 dac, lampizators entry model, or Merason DAC 1. does anyone have experience with these and can recommend them? 

thanks a lot! 

Anthony 

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audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,203 posts
 

If it’s not just all about the warmth ,detail counts then 100% , the T+A 200 dac,preamp you can get a good deal for under $6500 and will compete 

very well with anything 2x it’s price and has a true resistive ladder ,relay preamplifier hat is very good if you chose to use it .My brother owns one and visiting many in audio clubs in and outside New England it’s a very natural sounding dac with excellent balance all around , read the Many accolades and get  a dealer to ship you one to audition.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,358 posts
 

The Node will be a nice improvement over laptop. Just use a good usb or coax. 

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,203 posts
 

You didnot mention your budget.I already mentioned a Big crowd favorite in

the T+A 200 dac- preamp  at retail before discounts $7200,

if you cant affor thatLinearTube Audio brand new dac I heard briefly 

has a lot to offer the 6sn7 tube it uses are very natural ,even better with good nos tubes just under $4k .

jkeitel's avatar
jkeitel
21 posts
 

Definitely audition the Merason DAC 1 

I haven’t listened to the MKII, but I love the MKI :)

 

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,982 posts
 

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2023/03/12/lab12-dac1-review/

 

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2023/12/02/2024s-best-digital-playback-buyers-guide-2024/

 

I listened to the Merason Freot and original Merason DAC 1 . They were good. The Lab 12 DAC 1 Reference is what I took home that day. I really like this DAC.

 

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