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Need DAC help

I posted here a while ago wanting to get suggestions for replacing my California Icon Mkii. The suggestions appeared to be to keep it and get a DAC. Since that post (which appears to have vanished from Audiogon) I have tried to educate myself about DAC's which I was totally ignorant about at the time. Have a simple system with Totem Forests and a Plinius integrated amplifier. I am a soundstage junkie and may also want to tame to high frequencies a bit. Would like to get a tube Dac Considering the TDAC, maybe Havanna but would really like suggestions, Thanks
rspark
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
Dude, dude, dude!! With your budget and current excellent gear, I think the PS Audio (as suggested) or the Benchmark would be great matches. I have had both, and they are both great, I think the Benchmark is more detailed.
rspark OP
37 posts
 
I am unclear if the PS audio is a tube Dac. Would love to hear more suggestions, thanks
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,383 posts
 
The PS Audio is not a tubed unit. I would look for a used Kora Hermes which is tubed. They are excellent sounding.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
How about the Eastern Electric DAC. Uses same Sabre chips as used in the Wyred DAC, but instead of a discrete output stage, you have a switch that allows you to choose between tube and op-amp output stages. At $750 a great buy.
metman
233 posts
 
Looks like alot of solid recommendations here and it appears all could be had new for under a $1000.00 I would also like to throw in the Eastern Electric dac which has been garnering some good reviews as well. If you can stretch your budget a little the Tranquility dac is supposed to sound great with a few people saying it sounds better than the Berkely. It is a NOS non tubed dac but is supposed to have a very organic and analog sound quality to it. One caveat is that it only has a USB connection
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