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Need Help with New DAC

Hi, I am new at DAC but I heard that if you add a dac in your system its really sound good currently my set-up is Classe amp and pre-amp with rotel rcd 991 bw speaker, my budget is around 1k what should I get that really help my system new or used does not matter. (ML N.36, theta gen Va, msb Gold link or whatever any info would be greatly appreciate).
goone
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
There's a Classe' DAC1 w/HDCD listed right now for 1K. I really like the one I bought recently. Its a significant upgrade from the highly regarded DAC in my CAL CL-10. Of course, you also have to budget for good digital cable.
joe_b
421 posts
 
I do not think you can get a ML, Theta GenV or MSB Gold for less than $1k used. The Theta GenVa is the best dac I have personally ever heard but it's expensive. I have owned the Bel Canto 1, Cal Sigma II and some others. The Bel Canto 1 is not bad if you do not want to tweak much, but I slightly preferred the sound of an older Micromega to it. Same for the Cal Sigma. I also have an unmodified Art DI/O, which I paid $130 for plus another $40 or so for power supply upgrade, line attenuators and connectors. After an extended break in (almost 3 months) and leaving the tube in it, I have to say that it comes closer to the Bel Canto, Cal Sigma or Micromega than you would think, given it low price. There are mods available that cost around another $225 or so and supposedly elevate its performance even more. The only negatives I have found with the DI/O are that it sprays out some RFI (I have to turn it off to listen to the tuner)and its soundstaging is spacious but a little vague. If your just starting out with dacs, I can't think of a better way to start than the DI/O.
goone OP
136 posts
 
Thanks for all your response, if my budget allowed me to 1500 then can I be better with ML, theta genv or msb gold or the new music fidelity dac or even with bel canto, which one is good for me?
thanks again
timo's avatar
timo
610 posts
 
Try and find a Muse Model Two Plus. You should be able to find one for no more than $700 used. This is a most excellent DAC for the music lover, not etchy or Hi-Fi sounding at all.

Good luck!
jwaugh
103 posts
 
I have had both a Theta and a newer Ml rig, and the strengths/character of each was dintinct. In my system, I prefer the ML, but frankly they are both great DACs overall - it just depends on your musical preference (guessing that the Theta may complement the Classe amp better - without knowing which one you are using - but again that is my taste). Incidentally, though it is a crowd and reviewer favorite, I was not impressed by Musical Fidelity's offering (think I might be the only one who wasn't).

Good luck and don't forget a good cable!
=)

-Jacob
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