Any superb balanced dacs up to $2,500 used??


I have not posted in a long while, however am testing the waters on dac opinions. Am currently using a Vecteur L-4 cd player full range, that also happens to make a very good transport- preamp is modded Sonic Frontiers Line 3 (fully balanced). What are the some current favorite dacs out there under $2,500 used? (tube or non-tube)- caveat- must have balanced output, and preferably also a true balanced design.

I have owned Emm Labs gear; AA Capitole (both versions); Sim Audio Eclipse (still miss that one- superb for a one-box and IMO much better than the Capitoles); Spectral 3000/Audio Note 3.1x Balanced dac (I loved that combo); etc. But now, I need a more cost-effective solution- yet would like to border on a superb setup once again, hence the idea being a good deal on a used top-performer dac.

The Audiomeca Enkianthus X seems to be ~ $3k asking used, and I am sure could be had for around $2.5k; the Electro ECD-1 is cheaper (~ $1.2k used)but I'm not sure how good it is compared to the others. One consideration is a locally available Sonic Frontiers Processor 3 @ ~ $2.5k used, which I will be auditioning this weekend, along with a rather elusive Forsell Ref dac (but it's more $$). I would pick up an Audiomat Maestro in a second, but they are very elusive and probably not that cheap used. I like insane build quality; heavy duty power supplies, etc., so please no lightweight contenders! If this doesn't work out, I will probably end up going back to the best one-boxer I can find for ~ $3,500 used (most likely the Eclipse).
sutts

Showing 7 responses by sutts

Elgordo- one of my buddies has a Gen Va- it's ok, but his analog rig kills it! He is NOT using the digital lens though- curious if that would make a difference. I have a GW Labs DSP signal enhancer/jitter reducer that I find makes a small but noticeable difference, so I am also a believer in the '3-box' solution as well!

Timo- never tried the Muse stuff- worried though, as it's not selling like it used to used, and wouldnt' want to be stuck with something that might be tougher to re-sell. However the reviews are good on Muse- just wish there was a chance to try it!

Kurt- yes, have read great things about the Opus 21 and I know you are a fan, but the XLR output running through the volume control bugs me! I realize you haev had success with the workaround though, and that's cool. I am in Canada though, and I don't think we have a dealer up here for that line...

Photon- yes, good call on the Assemblage. Had one (the one model down from that one) and it was good, and better with the D2D upsampler, HOWEVER, I preferred the filterless Audio Note 3.1x Balanced though...

Jond- hey- that's a good idea on the TT- I am intrigued! Have always wondered how good that piece is, and at the used prices, perhaps worth a shot -I believe they are tough to find though...
Rufusfolk- I don't know about the Pass D-1 @ $1,500. Check Audiogon- there is one there, but he's asking $4,200!!

Swamp- Classe stuff being local up here in Canuck land is popular- have never heard their dac although they seem to sell well when they do come up...

Tobias- never heard of Apogee digital...

Ljgj- Chord- hmmm.... it seems so small and unassuming, but hey, good things can come in small packages as they say!
Hey Kurt- Long time no speak- still have those Komura 845's?? thanks for chiming in on my thread- btw, what are YOU using for digital these days?
Slingshot- didn't realize the Reimyo was under $2,500- hmmm...

Kehut- had a long talk with Steve Nugent a couple o' days ago. He likes the post-mod ECD-1, but his 'baby', or the one that REALLY floats his boat, is the post-mod Perpetual P3A

Loudandclear- never heard the Bidat (had the modded Bitstream/Data II), but thats' cool that the Biday has balanced outs. We took the modded Data II over to a buddys' place, and his Sim Audio Eclipse still killed it- the Data II sounded very dull in comparison

Dimitry/Devon- The Eclipse has a lower noise floor, due in part I am sure to the much more advanced power supply among other things. It has superior bass, tighter and more extended. It also has a wider soundstage than the Cap and superior low-level detail retrieval. The Cap has that nice midrange quality to it though (and I will admit the bass IS bettered in the MK II, but it's still not as good as the Eclipse's). These are both very good machines, and system synergy and sonic attribute-related user preferences will be the deciding factor. i.e. the Cap II allows you to eliminate a preamp and go direct- a crucial $$ factor for some. I could live with either one IN THE RIGHT ACCOMPANYING SYSTEM. The LE version modifies the analog output stage for apparently (haven't heard it yet) an aven smoother sound. Hope that helped.