@anzaanimalclinic is that the one in Mexico?
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?
Showing 50 responses by navyachts
@audphile1 make sense to me, but it's just like I went from records to CDs. Ya kinda miss that interaction. |
@tvad I have found a 2021 Bricasti M3 with a remote than needs the MDx upgrade so I'd be in for $3750. I also found a 2109 M1 that was factory refurbished to a SE at that time for around $5000. It could be brought up to M1 Series II for $3750 bringing it in at $8750. With your experience (at retail pricing) is the M1 Series II sound $6000 better than the M3? There's also a member touting a Lampizator Baltic on US Audiomart, which you liked for around $5K but like you, I'm not much into tubes right now. |
@tvad excellent advice, much appreciated! |
@koestner Thanks, which of these have you heard, and which did you prefer? I wonder what might better my Gustard R26 DAC I currently have? The new flavor of the month seems to be the Laiv Harmony DAC:
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@ghdprentice the Mola Mola has streaming capabilities as well, so is in that all-in-one category. @tvad point well taking, but tough to demo if you're buying used, which maybe be my case, depending on the price! |
@soix Better presentation of musical overtones, amplitude, pitch, timbre, texture with a wider/deeper soundstage (if this is possible) than I have with my existing DAC. Under $10K, used is OK. Martin Logan speakers used to be a lot brighter in the past but their newer models seem to be tamed down a touch. I'm thinking the R2R configuration of my existing DAC maybe holding thing back a bit? |
@helomech Thanks, I have heard great thing about the DMP-A8, but I'd like to stick with separates for now. Although one day, I could see myself going with an active pair of speakers...only! lol |
@audphile1 The Bricasti is highly recommended. I recall you had one but moved on to PS Audio. Which model Bricasti did you have? |
@soix the Lampizator is a great suggestion, buy like @tvad I also suffer from tubeous nervosa, lol! @bigkidz see above & below @riie at $27,500 you better be happy! https://scottwalkeraudio.com/store/msb-premier-dac/ @vinylshadow It’s a bargain at $3,500 less than the MSB DAC! Playback Designs MPD-8 Dream DAC (verdantaudio.com) @corente APL, right up there with the MSB and the MPD-8, outta my league, but thanks for the info. @audphile1 M3 is the entry level Bricasti, so I was snooping around and see a few used M1s around for a decent price, maybe worth looking into? What are thinking of upgrading to? @nepfotos no, but I will look into AQUA. Thanks! @mikhailark ok, thank you. @tomic601 appreciate your comments.
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@vinylshadow just an FYI, I am NOT spending $24K on a DAC, nor considering Denafrips. Hopefully I can get one of the better, aforementioned DACs here for under $10,000. I’m in no rush, so will wait patiently for something to come up. The likes being (in order of preference): MSB Discrete DAC, Playback Designs of some sort, Berkeley Audio Alpha DAC Series 3 or possibly a Bricasti M1 (series II would be nice!) I’m in no rush, so will wait patiently for something to come up :-) |
@audphile1 ok, super thank you! |
@zuesman Well, it’s not the anniversary model, but I did have had a W4S 2v2 SE in the past and found it to quite good, thanks. Are you a pal of EJ's? @nonoise lot of hype over this Harmony DAC, same as when the Gustard R26 came out. I think I’ll let the hype settle. In the meantime, I have my eyes focused on a used Playback Designs Merlot Dac. Thanks,
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@ddafoe LOL! |
@yyzsantabarbara thanks, I was going to reply to you tomorrow. Maybe I should give the LIM DAC a shot first? It's just these Merlots don't come up often and it's an inexpensive way to get a taste of the PBD genre. @audphile1 thanks as well |
@audphile1 Point well taken! I was going to pull the trigger on a 4-year-old, $4K, PBD Merlot DAC (unheard & no returns) tomorrow. Maybe I should re-think this? |
@audphile1 all excellent points. I will further my research. As always, I really appreciate your help! You as well @yyzsantabarbara |
@mclinnguy great advice, thank you. So, you are happy with you your Weiss 501 in your system? I would imagine the Magnepans have a similar flair to the Martin Logans? Not sure. |
@audphile1 OK, I have passed on the Merlot. Now I have found a one month old Briscati M1 SE II demo unit for $7500. Full lifetime warranty. A tad more than I want to spend, but... Or, I could wait a bit for the $2,700 Harmony Laiv DAC which seem to have some rave reviews, without breaking the bank. Or @yyzsantabarbara’s suggestion of the Schitt LIM which works well for him. Which you can try out for 15 days. Whadd ya think? |
Hey @tvad where did all your posts go? I wanted to go back on them for reference! |
@tvad sorry, kinda early, yes, it's a M1 SE |
@audphile1 Retail on a new M1 SE is $10K, so $7,500 for a month old, dealer demo is decent, but you're right there is a 4 year old M1 SE here on AG for $5K...UGH! |
@mitch2 OK! lol |
@tvad @tomic601 @audphile1 OK, sure is nice to have such a large and knowledgeable support group, thanks to you all, very helpful! I will continue my search for now... |
@yyzsantabarbara I recall you say this: "Do some research on the much cheaper Schitt Yggi+ Less is More. It was designed by a guy named Mike Moffet. I was telling a friend about the DAC 2 days ago. He is in the HiFi business, and he told me I was the 4th person that said great things about the LIM to him. He also told me that he had a long conversation with Mike Moffet years ago when he did a project with Schitt and he thought MM came across as a digital genius. I had the Gustard X26 Pro. It was bettered by the Musetec 005. It was bettered by the Lumin X1. It was bettered by the Schitt Yggi+ LIM. In fairness, the X1 is also an incredible streamer" My very first DAC was a Schitt Gungnir that I paid $849 for in 2013. It didn't sound as good as my $500 Marantz CD player, so I never looked back at Schiit, thinking their name kinda says it all. Sounds like they have come a long way since then! |
I never said that last part on the Gungnir. @yyzsantabarbara LOL! You read outside the quotation marks, that was me who spoke of the Gungnir as being my first DAC! Thanks for the rest of the info though. |
@ddafoe Good to know, thank you and yes, that Meitner MA3 better be good at that price! |
@audphile1 - Thanks, the fellow selling the 2021 M3 doesn't have the MDx upgrade. I don't know if it has an original MDx or not, I'm not sure what it all means. I was going to call Bricasti to find out all the jive sometime soon. The seller says it's $1250 to upgrade the MDx. I have been thinking now more on the M1 because it has a much larger upgrade path than the M3. Lot's to learn! |
@audphile1 +2 lol I am chatting on my phone, as I type, with one of the sellers of an M1 on AG. My question, "how old is the unit and has it had any upgrades" his response " Not sure exactly, need to find out" OK "How about a remote? No response. Had a similar email experience with the other M1 seller on AG yesterday. Also asked for a serial number so I could call Joe at Bricasti about it...nuthin’ what gives? |
How about this one: https://teac.jp/int/product/ud-701n/top
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@audphile1 +1 no Schiit! I like the way you cut to the chase! Yes, you have suggested the TT2 to me in the past. Maybe this is the way to go? Hopefully the re-sellers have a bit more on the ball than the Bricasti group I have been dealing with (or not dealing with in my case). |
@bluethinker thx! |
@nonoise did you see Steve Huff’s review of the Laiv? Impressive comparisons. |
@yyzsantabarbara You mention the Schitt Yggi, are you referring to the Yggdrasil?It's a bit confusing with the LIM, MIL and OG. Decent review here: https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=passion+for+sound+yggdrasil+reveiw&mid=6CB733912F828BB341EC6CB733912F828BB341EC&FORM=VIRE. The reviewer did prefer the Hugo TT2 (no MScaler) over the Yggi, but at a much lower cost, thought the Yggi was a great value. I am getting a bit bummed out dealing with a few sellers of used Bricastis at the moment, so I may give the Yggi a shot, particularly as Schiit has the 15-day trial period. Just to confirm, it is the OG you recommend? I may also look out for a decent (used) TT2 |
@ddafoe @bluethinker The Meitner is a bit pricey used and may be a tough sell if it’s not to my liking and there are no used Merason DAC1 (that I can find) currently for sale. Both look like interesting DACs from Europe, as well as Rockna. It sure would be nice if you could do an in-home demo with all of these! |
@blisshifi yes, we have chatted before and yes, I'm aware that the T&A DAC 200 is very highly rated. In turn, I just wanted to say I do not have any DSD content nor do I up sample. Regardless, how's pricing on the T&A these days? |
@audphile1 OK, working up the scale: Briscati M3, with remote and updated MDx for $3800, Chord Hugo TT2 with Mscaller for around $6k or Briscati M1 for around $5K then upgrade to SE II for another $2500 - $3750 (don't know about the MDx upgrade on this one yet). Knowing you have had a similar system to mine and are familiar with most of these products, which way would you go? |
@audphile1 OK, thank you! |
@tvad Yes, but I have an Aurender N200. |
@audphile1 @tvad - ended up with a 2020 M1 with updated MDx around $4K. Thank you both for all your help with this! |
@tvad I am sending the DAC into the manufacturer for some tweaks. Do you think the display upgrade is worth doing? It's $500. |
@tvad OK, very useful info, thanks! |
@smallmouthrule yes, it is, but trying to move on from R2R and not so into tubes, thanks. @duckworp at $20K for the CAD 1543 mkII and $33K for the Vitus SD-025 they oughta be good, outta my league I'm afraid! |