If you are a music lover a $2k DAC will not give you the sound quality you are used to with Vinyl. Now if you just want music in the background then any inexpensive DAC will work. I have had 4 Lumin DAC's ...U-1 mini, D-2, A-1 and X-1. Each one was a step above and the sound level improved in each stage. I now have a Lampi Pacific, which now exceeds the X-1. Check out the Lumin Line for SS and there are some Lower end Lampizators that would shine.
A Newcomer to Digital Looking to Upgrade My Dac, Tubes? Ideas?
Being a relative newcomer to digital downloads and playback, I love the convenience when I am looking for a short music session and don't feel like going through my vinyl. I find the digital quality pretty good, but looking to upgrade my dac to get some additional warmth into my playback, I'm thinking maybe a tube dac, not sure what I should spend but cost wise was thinking of $ 2,000.00 as a budget. Not sure if such a dac exists, or if you have suggestions. I have built up a pretty good collection of both PCM and DSD HD music, mostly copies of what I have on vinyl but the vinyl has seen better days. Currently I am using a TEAC UD-501, tube preamp- (Schiit Mjolnir 2), Amp.- (Adcom 555se), Balanced throughout usually through my PC but I also use my portable through the coax to the dac. Speakers are Wilson Benesch Square 2. Unfortunately I have an L shaped listening room, which seconds as our living room, typical of what you find in a condo, volume levels are generally low to medium, to spare the neighbours, and I split my time between the speakers and headphones.