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DAC for Cal Audio Labs CL-10

I have a Meridian 588 and a Cal Audio Labs multi disc CL-10 player. I also have Nautilus B&W 802 speakers and a Bryson 4BST amp and BP-25 preamp along with Audio magic power conditioners. I am wondering if there is a $500 DAC that would improve my multi disc sound output? I listen to female vocalists and jazz and would love to hear any suggestions to try.
bryanhod
bryanhod OP
211 posts
 
Well I got excited until I started to rsearch the price of the Classe DAC-1. Looks like it will run $850 to $950. Not too much considering everything else I've bought so let's open this up a little. What is the best DAC under $1000? What is the best under $2000 and what is the best under $4000 and what do you get for more money?
fishwater
178 posts
 
I have a Benchmark (can be had for $850 new) & love it. Incredible detail & great features. You can forgo a pre-amp & run direct into your amp or use the headphone features. I think this piece of "pro-audio" is a killer deal & sounds great in my system.
bryanhod OP
211 posts
 
What about the EVS Millennium? I see they sell for about $350.
zinfan2
154 posts
 
You might try the California Audio Labs Alpha DAC. I use it with a California Audio Labs Delta transports as well as with a CL-10. It doesn't "do" HDCD CDs, but those CDs still sound better (warmer, deeper), to my ears, through the Alpha DAC than they do through the CL-10 by itself.
knaptime
9 posts
 
I also use a CAL Alpha with a Cal CL-10 with great results.
The CL-10 is very capable on its own, but the Alpha is warmer and throws a huge soundstage. Like zinfan, I even prefer the sound of HDCDs through the Alpha even though they lose the benefits of HDCD decoding.
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