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Are there any DACs that can go low?

I have a W4S DAC-2 (with Audiophilleo), I have also auditioned an Ayre QB-9, own a Cary Xciter, have owned a Peachtree Nova, and have an Oppo BDP-95. I try to use high definition files from a Mac Mini over Audionirvana.

None of these can approach the lows that my reference source can (a Clearaudio Performance SE turntable with Artist V2 ebony Cartridge and Ayre P-5xe stage). My reference is a Clearaudio Performance SE turntable with Artist V2 ebony Cartridge and Ayre P-5xe stage. The bass is so much richer and deeper with that as my reference and the midrange sounds fuller too. Highs never sound shrill either.

Are there any DACs out there that can approach a more neutral sound, at least as I see it?
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Showing 1 response by nonoise

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,589 posts
 
Any decent DAC can 'read' the signal which contains all the info necessary. The bass is there but it can be something as simple as impedance matching or it can be the quality of the power supply to the DAC.

I've had several CDPs and thought they were all quite fine until I got a SACD player (Marantz SA15S2b) with a well built (over built?) power supply and the bass I got out of my system floored me. And that was with Redbook. The DAC in it is no different than what's used in some of the stand alone DACs out there. It's all a matter of how it's implemented.

All the best,
Nonoise
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