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Looking for excellent DAC without a preamp section

I am in the market for a new DAC for redbook CD, but it should accept up to 24/96 signals. Let's keep the price under $10k new or used. It seems that a lot of the better DAC's out there have built in preamp sections which are undesirable to me. Examples are the Wadia 27ix, EMM Labs DCC2, Weiss Medea, Camelot Uther, Audio Synthesis DAX Variable, Esoteric D70, and some others I am sure. All I want is a great DAC with 2 volt unbalanced outputs.
jazzdude
ozfly
887 posts
 
There are lots of great choices. I would recommend that you audition the Perpetual Technology gear (P-1a, P3-a with the Wright mods and the separate Wright power supply). Easily under $10,000 -- way under!! Sounds great, has received fine reviews. Meets all your criteria though I can't confirm the 2 volts out.

Others to consider are the Audio Note and Naim (if I recall, the older Naim 5's, but I may be misremembering).
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
I think that there is a Muse 296 for sale right now at about 12% of the price you are talking about. Upgradeable to 24/192 status as well.
mejames
986 posts
 
Audio Synthesis DAX discrete doesn't have preamp section also Meitner DCC 6 doesn't either also the Meitner DCC 2 has a output which bypass the preamp section
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