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DAC to match $2-3K CD player

Listened to the Rolling Stones' Beggars Banquet last night--first streaming Apple Lossless files via Squeezebox Duet, then on my Naim CD5x. Of course, with the bare Squeezebox and no external DAC, there was no comparison. What I'm wondering is how far up the DAC food chain would you need to start looking to match the sound quality of a $2-3K dedicated player? (I tried a Musical Fidelity V-DAC in my office and was unimpressed, so I'm not looking for a giant killer.) I'm not going all digital any time soon, so my question is really out of curiosity and to start a conversation if anyone else is interested.
afranta
afranta OP
180 posts
 
Thanks, Tvad, forgot about that one. The only dacs I've heard (enough to have an opinion about them) are the Musical Fidelity V-DAC and Cambridge Audio Dacmagic; no surprise that I wouldn't trade my cd player for either one. Hence my original question about dacs that compete with $2-3K players--and the suggestions about the W4S DAC-1, among others.
srwooten's avatar
srwooten
694 posts
 
PS Audio PerfectWave DAC.
mikeyla
14 posts
 
Weiss DAC2 (pro-audio) + firewire + mac
dawgfish
157 posts
 
The modest exposure I've had to the Ayre QB-9 has been impressive, and the reviews are good. I think it's about a $3k idea.

Full disclosure: I don't have that piece, but have other Ayre gear that I enjoy.
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
The CD5x is a great CDP IMO. The new Naim DAC runs circles around it, for about the same price. If you like what your CD5x is doing, and Naim in general, check out the Naim DAC. You won't be sorry.

I hate it when people compare the entry level DACs to $3k CDPs. Let's be serious. The DACmagic, V-DAC, and PS DLII are very good DACs. But they're no where near a Naim CD5x. Not even close. I'd say the $1k DACs start to compete with the better $3k CDPs. They're different, no a better/worse thing IMO. Keep in mind there are some great DACs for the money, and some not so great. Same for any component.

If you can swing $3k, the Naim DAC is where its at IMO. The Bryston BDA-1 at about $2k does some things better than the CD5x too. A bit different, but I could easily live with either.
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