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best DAC' choice between $1K-$2K?

Its time for me to plan my annual upgrade splurge and this year the target area is DAC replacement. The DAC I use now is the PS Audio DLink III, its powerfull, detailed, but computer audio is showing the DAC's weaknesses with a design based on 2006 digital technology.

Looking for a musical sounding DAC...I can deal with tonal balance variances and dynamics that aren't spot on but a piece of gear that distorts overtones, doesn't have correct time decay and struggles with digital defects will have me moving on within 5 minutes of listening.

I've seen good things on the Metrum Octave but its lacking in design features like a headphone section and 192khz support. Bel Canto seemed popular at the DC Audio show and is recent enough in design to have longevity.

Wondering what in the new purchase market folks think is the class champ between $1K-$2K for a DAC with 192K support, headphone output, volume control for direct to amp and the most natural sound. I have a quality asynch to USB converter so that feature is of minimal importance to me.

The new Oppo 105 looks like an interesting alternative but I doubt its competitive against a DAC in this range and I've seen no serious reviews yet to compare against other known good gear.
128x128davide256
mccance
8 posts
 
Metrum Octave with Audiophilleo USB2SPDIF, driving a tube preamp, like a ARC SP16 or 17.

Blows away everything out there.

I believe the Octave will do 192 via the SPDIF and I know the AP will, so there you go.

You don't need headphones. LOL.
happycamper
16 posts
 
I'm looking at a Lynx Hilo. A few Anedio D2 owners are moving them on for this unit. Hope to hear along with a Buffalo 3, PerfectWave II, NAD M51, Anedio D2 and anything else we can pack in.
soix
9,811 posts
 
For a DAC I'd seriously consider buying used. If you can stretch your budget just a bit you can start looking at units like the Berkeley Audio DAC2 and Bel Canto DAC 3.5VB mentioned above (given your stated tastes and the fact you want to run directly to the amp would push me just a little more in the direction of the former). They're likely in an entirely different league from anything new you'll find in that price range, and DACs are relatively low risk items to buy used. Best of luck.
branislav
405 posts
 
Id check out the new Red Wine Audio DAC.
richardfinegold
196 posts
 
I just replaced my D-Link III with the Oppo bD 105 and am very happy (will soon be offering the D-Link and the Old Transport, an NAD DVD-A/SACD/DVD-V player, on A-Gon).
now I can play Blu Rays, have Asynch USB, a headphone amp, and the sound beats the D Link, which was starting to sound very clinical and dry. I am also running my sbt into the oppo for Internet Radio. I think the DAC part of this beats the NAD M51, which goes for $2K.
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