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  3. 138060-3787

A DAC that crushes price vs. performance ratio

I felt strongly that I wanted to inform the Gon members about a new DAC that ranks with the very best on the market regarding performance, but costs around $2,000.00.  The Lab12 DAC1 SE was compared to three reference level DACS that retail for over $12.000.00 in my review for hometheaterreview.com and was at least on the same level sonicly, if not better.  This DAC from Greece is not just "good for the money" but competes with virtually anything on the market regardless of price!

For all the details about the Lab12 DAC1 SE performance and what other DACS it was compared to take a look at the review.  If you are shopping/looking for a new digital front end to drive your system, you owe it to yourself to check this DAC out, unless you like to spend tons of more $ without getting better performance.
teajay

Showing 7 responses by facten

facten
2,932 posts
 
So which is it the Lab 12 or the Denafrips Terminator ? 

A reviewer or 2 says the Lab 12 is the one to buy under $10K and easily competes with DAC 10K or better

The US importer describs  the Denafrips " as no DAC in history has been built this well or sounded this good for under $10K." (sales add).

Haven't heard either , anyone hear both?
facten
2,932 posts
 
simna


here's his response from earlier within this thread to that question

"  All the details regarding how the DAC sounded/performed presented in the review apply to Lab12 with the stock tubes and the Siemens.  

3) Yes, with the Siemens you get a little more of an "organic" sound then with the stock tubes, but either way the DAC sounds wonderful."

simna, what are your impressions of this DAC with the stock tubes?


facten
2,932 posts
 
simna

No need to apologize I follow what you are saying; thank you for offering up your take on the DAC
facten
2,932 posts
 
@mzkmxcv
" I bet it wouldn’t sound better (more accurate) than a SMSL SU-8 or Topping D50 "
What's your basis for this statement, have you listened to his Pagoda DAC? Have you compared all 3?
facten
2,932 posts
 
mzkmxcv -

You made the claims as to what DACs sound better than others, I did not.  I've asked you what your claims have been based upon and  guess I now understand that they are based upon published measurements.


facten
2,932 posts
 
@mzkmxcv

" Because those two are only a hair worse then the Benchmark DAC3, and the Benchmark " - based upon what?
" and likely more accurate than the Pagoda. " - sounds like you actually haven't heard one to really know one way or the other


facten
2,932 posts
 
rexp
see below link to post teajay started on a transport not too long ago

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/if-you-still-spin-cd-s-their-is-a-reference-level-transport-f...
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