Accuphase dac 60

@duketbrd88

The DAC60 option board should be installed in slot #1. The slot #2 is for optional phono board. Please make the swap and let us know if you hear any difference. Also what is your source and how it is connected to DAC60. 

I second the @jjss49 post on Accuphase sound. I own a E-650, go for digital module and allow atleast 300 plus hours before you make the final judgment!

@duketbrd88 

Congratulations. Seeing that you’re in States, may I ask which vendor did you use to order DAC60? 

RE:Gain. It is very common to have different gain settings between two devices from different manufacturer. I don’t understand what is the issue here? So what if you have to increase volume by 15-16db, it shouldn’t matter as long as you are not pushing amp to its limits.

As I suggested in my first post, allow DAC60 to settle in before you form any opinion. Going by my experience, you are bound to have different take on DAC60 after two weeks of continuous run-in. 

@charles1dad

The DAC60 is a dedicated digital input board that simply decodes incoming digital signal and inputs directly into preamplifier analog section.

@duketbrd88

What is your digital source? And what slot did you install the DAC60 board?

@duketbrd88 

The burn-in process is very real and it applies to both *new* cables and electronics. There is a reason you love E-380 and the DAC60 is no exception, its designed to work seamlessly and if I may say so, beautifully with E-380. Be patient until it’s fully broken-in before you make any decision. I have AD50 phono module ($1K) and it has bested outboard phono costing as much as $4K in my system. 

@duketbrd88 

Keeping in mind your issue with DAC60 and Node consideration, I recommend looking at external DAC like Denafrips Pontus II. I think you will be much happier with a DAC like Pontus in the long run. You have lot of options under $2K :-) 
 

@duketbrd88

I think it would make a very nice pairing with E-380. There is another DAC that gets lots of high praises is MHDT Labs ORCHID, but I wouldn’t recommend it with E-380. Accuphase sound is already lean towards warm so you don’t want a tube source. With Accuphase, you need a DAC that is transparent and detailed. 

@duketbrd88 

Keep an eye on this thread about DAC recommendation!