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Help me find this sound

I'm looking for a DAC that can smooth out the sound of all my cd's, make them sound more MoFi's cd's. With that smooth, warm, non-fatiguing yet still detailed sound.
Something in the under $2k range.

Currently, I'm using an MSB Link 2, un-modded. This, I think, is the weak link (no pun). I was thinking of a Kora Hermes, but that's just a thought right now.

System is:

Sony 333es mega changer (mega changer, yes, and no, not on the table for replacement, we listen to too much music! If anything, we're getting one more.)

Monarch DIP (have another, but took it out as the ES changer sounds better with one DIP in line)

Adcom GFP 750 pre
Spectron Musician 2 amp
Von S. VR-4's

Dig cable is AZ Silver Photon
IC's are AP copper
Speaker cables are Oval 9's

getting dedicated lines in a week or two (when I get off my butt and get the wires).

I would appreciate any advice/comments/suggestions.

thank you

KP
killerpiglet
chelillingworth
309 posts
 
THe Bel Canto Dac 1.1 is very musical and a touch warm. There are some used ones out the for @ $750. Unlike most dac's the Bel Canto rejects all jitter at the optical input and they actually recommend using the Toslink which is another reason it's a very good choice for your mega changer.
celtic66
1,664 posts
 
KP,

This is a strange mixture. The music bank as a transport is on the weak side, but if you must you must. Never have liked Adcom preamps and am not familiar Spectron amps. The Analysis Plus I use and love, so do many audiophile friends with bigger dog systems than mine.

I use the Hermes and find it serious. Tubes of course will smooth things out a bit. The EVS Millenium may also be a consideration as I see one for sale for reasonable.

I would do the Hermes or EVS, dump the Adcom for something more musical and use power cords if not already. Good luck.
audiotune
8 posts
 
You can never go wrong with MUSE 296 DAC. A used one can go for about $1700. There is also a MUSE Model 2+ with Bessell filter for about $500. These are superd sounding DACs. Check them out.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
You could send your Link II to Stan Warren, and for $250 your DAC will sound like one costing much much more. Stan Warren's contact information is available at: http://www.aloha-audio.com/Linkstxt.html

There is also Dan Wright at http://www.modwright.com/msb.htm
Dan has similar Link DAC mods ranging from $250 to $375.


A couple months ago I had the opportunity to demo in my home for a weekend, a standard Link DAC III and a Link II modded by Stan Warren. Stan's versions simply sounded more natural, or as some say analog. (Less glare).

killerpiglet OP
374 posts
 

I spoke with Ric and he's getting out of the DAC business. Hence, my post here (I was going to go ahead and get one of his DAC's).

Don't really want to send the Link in for mods, as this seems like a half-measure, and it'd leave me DAC-less (what, I said DAC!).

Do have a mix of different power cords in the system, line filter, etc.

I keep the Adcom in passive mode, so the switchable voltage output on the Hermes sounds attractive to me.

I'll also check out Muse and Bel Canto as suggested.
Thank you, gentlemen, keep 'em comin'!

KP
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