For my DAC, I was using the DAC in my McIntosh MA 8950 integrated amp. It worked well with my Polk Audio R700s. But then I got a pair of Klipsch Cornwall 4s. They would sound outstanding on some recordings but on a lot of material they would sound hard or bright. I tried positioning, cabling etc..Most owners say you need tubes with these speakers but I didn’t want to mess with a tube amp because my stereo is also tied in with tv and its apps. I thought I would try tubes in the chain somewhere though so I got an affordable tube DAC ,the Black Ice FX DAC. I put some $400 Mullards in it from Kevin Deal (Upscale audio). That really did the trick. Now the Cornwallis sound great, no listening fatigue at all. I really love this DAC. But realizing how much a DAC move improved my system, I thought about trying more highly regarded DACs to see if I can improve it even more. I ended up ordering the LAiV Harmony. I wanted to try the Audio Mirror Tubadour V but wasn’t sure about spending $7500. I also considered the Canor DAC 2.10 @ $4000. Both tube DACs. If for some reason I do not like the Laiv, I will look into getting one of those two. The LAiV ships at the end of June, they had already sold out of their first production run.
Back to the DAC
Just a bit of an update. When I inquired about a DAC upgrade in a recent post, it was suggested that I look at upgrading my cables first. Since then, I have done so (see my virtual system for that). Not over the top stuff, but a definite improvement over the mostly stock, generic cables I originally had.
System is sounding pretty darn good, but like most of us, you always wonder what a more expensive DAC will offer in the way of sound quality improvements.
Many of the recommended, higher priced DACs seem to include streamers and/or offer pre-amp capabilities. I have a good streamer and pre-amp and really don’t want all those components in one box.
Have any of you experienced a DAC which offers the sound qualities of highly praised units like the Mola Mola Tambaqui, DCS Lina, T&A 200, Weiss DAC501, etc. which their only function is a DAC?