New or Old DAC


I currently have an older Theta front end. Data ll transport & Chroma HDCD. I like it, even though it is old and discontinued. I would like to update my DAC first , I am looking for a Theta Pro Gen va. I know the sound of the older Theta stuff and like it. But, are there any newer DAC's out there in that $1K (used) price range that can really give an equal or better performance than the Pro Gen Va? Do the newer anti jitter (re-clocking) DACS fall into that price range?

thanks, mike
128x128mikedaniels
No problem with you disagreeing with me Pettyofficer, that's part of what makes this hobby fun. FWIW, your tube rectification is in the power supply section, which is also analog based, not in the digital or digital to analog conversion stage. Yes, it may supply power to that stage, but it is in the analog domain, and it supplies power to the analog output stage too.

I don't even own a DAC anymore, I gave up on digital seperates about 8 years ago when I rediscovered vinyl. I do own a highly modified cd player though. It's a $3.5K cd player with about $4K worth of mods in it, all in the power supply, input/output hardware, wiring and analog output stage (which has a dual triode tube buffer stage). It still has the same DAC's. I've owned this for a couple of years now, and I can't say that I've heard anything new from digital that would cause me to run out and spend mucho dinero on a new one.

That's just me though, whatever gets YOUR toes tapping is YOUR own personal answer.

Cheers,
John
Digital or Digital to Analog Conversion Stages run off of what power source, Pyramid Power, or a real tiny Zero Point Module (imported from Stargate Atlantis from another Galaxy somewhere no-less). Must be one hell of an Import Tax. Since when is Direct Current, "Analog Based"? There are Direct Current Power Supplies to Digital Microprocessors, unless these things run off of a vacuum.
Isn't there a trial period with the Benchmark DACs? If so, it would be interesting to compare with your Theta.
Jmcgrogan2- I am still awaiting an answer! How is A.C. Current that has been Rectified to D.C. Current, and is Voltage Regulated, and now supplies Analog as well as Digital Stages, Analog Based? Direct Current is Direct Current regardless if it is supplying Analog or Digital Stages, perhaps at a different Voltage, but it is still Direct Current! What is your basis of, "Analog Based" in Direct Current?
09-12-09: Pettyofficer
Jmcgrogan2- I am still awaiting an answer!

Sorry, I don't know what you are looking for. I didn't know that you were awaiting an answer, as I still don't know what you're saying. I'm still trying to figure out how tube rectification in the power supply or DC has anything to do with different DAC chip sets, that I thought this thread was about. Better to spend your $$$ on the latest DAC chip set vs. other parts (power supply, analog output stage, etc.). How it veered to AC vs. DC is beyond my comprehension.

Are you are saying that the DAC chip set is more important than the power supply or analog output section of a DAC? If so, then we just agree to disagree. If you are trying to stress the importance of a power supply or tube rectification, you are preaching to the choir. If this makes no more sense to you than your posts did to me, then I suggest we both just move on with our lives.