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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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pindac
2,864 posts
 

I have regular access to hear the EAR Acute in use in the system it belongs to, as well as in Systems it is loaned into for demo' purposes.

I also have been present when it has been compared to a Audio Note Valve Based CDP, a Bespoke Built Valve Based DAC with a CDT, SS DAC's (Denafrips Venus II  and Bespoke Built Designs)

I have also been present over a period of time when Tube Rolling was carried out, where selected Tubes were Pairs that were perfect matches and measured improved over Factory Spec'.

Two Vintage Tube Types are now known to offer a little different to each other, but leave the stock Tubes as superseded, as a result of the leap forward discovered in sonic produced.

The Tube Rolled Acute has been compared to a Vinyl Source ( SP10 R > Glanz MH 1200s > Miyajima Cartridge > Bespoke Built Valve Input / Output Phon. Where a variety of SUT's and Head Amp's have been used, in a system using EAR Amp's and Quad TOTR ESL Speakers. 

As a digital to vinyl comparison where the end sound is being compared to have discover if a Digital Source has the capability to impress in a similar manner that a Vinyl  Source can.

The Acute scores as high a mark as I would be willing to give for being able to create such an impression.

In relation to the Laser Longevity, 15000 Hours vs a 1000ish hours for a Styli, with either enablers of a recording replay costing similar monies, leaves CDP's or CDT's with Longevity like the Acute seemingly a Great VFM Purchase.     

timothy_m
39 posts
 

Look for a new or used Sonnet Morpheus coupled with a streamer/endpoint and loose the laptop. It's all you'll need to make music.

mikhailark
278 posts
 

Audio Note comes to mind considering your tastes. You can also purchase one preassembled from kits at ANK site. All tubes, well known "musical" AD chip.

https://ankaudiokits.com/product-category/dac/

Denafrips makes excellent DACs, but they may not be to your taste. Highs are not harsh, but they ARE solid state, there is no 'warm' roll off. 

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