2. digital
  3. 1257684865

New DAC recommendation $1K, hopefully tube.

I currently use a Benchmark DAC1 and really like it. With a new iMac on the way, the DAC1 will be used for headphone duty only on my desk.

So now I need a new DAC for the Krell/Focal system. I'm open to any suggestions following these guidlines:

1. Prefer tube as I'd like to see what they offer.
2. Less than $1K.
3. Prefer balanced outputs, but not necessary.
4. Multiple digital inputs.
5. Excellent jitter reduction for Airport Express.

Thank you,
gherrera1
gherrera1
trianglezerius's avatar
trianglezerius
119 posts
 
My vote and chose goes for the Tranquility DAC by www.dbaudiolabs.com. Best digital I've heard so far!
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
Mimberman - Airport Express has rather poor sounding analog outs but digital output is pretty good. In test performed by Stereophile http://www.stereophile.com/digitalprocessors/505apple/# it produced 258ps of jitter and that is pretty respectable performance.
face
516 posts
 
Peachtree Nova, although I believe the tube is in the preamp section.
garyb
12 posts
 
I've been auditioning a Neko Audio D100 in my system for the last few days and have been very impressed by the sound. It doesn't have a tube output stage but it does use output transformers which gives it a very smooth and clear sound, similar to what I'm used to from tubes.

I'd put it on the shortlist for anyone looking at DACs in this price range.

---Gary
joshcloud9
46 posts
 
I've just recently got a Tube Audio Design - TADAC tube dac, it is using the el cheapo original Chinese tubes and it still sounds amazing. Completely blows anything I've tried to this date - that includes the Music Hall dac.

And when I say completely blows away, it's like pealing away multiple layers, it's night and day better than anything I've tried to date. Incredibly revealing and yet has that tube magic :)

It's only available used but you can get a new PreDac which is supposedly a big jump up from the Tadac.
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