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Best DAC for around $2,500 or less

What are your opinions on the best DAC for under $2,500?  Looking at the Schiit Yggy or many of recommend Denafrips so looking at their Pontus.  Any thoughts on how these two compare?  It might be misguided by I tend to think your getting a little more for your money with a direct to consumer company like Schiit and I know they are highly regarded for their DACS.  Anything else to look at in this price range? 
mvrooman1526
115 responses Add your response
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
And because I just got the email correspondence from Ben @ mojo audio, I'll note that he totally disagrees with me (strongly) and doesn't believe in i2s between dacs. 

He states:  In i2s "the clocking and data are divided into three separate signals: bit clock, word clock, and data.

In every other form of digital transmission (USB, Ethernet, Thunderbolt, etc) the clocking is embedded into the data stream and then it is asynchronously buffered and reclocked.

Think about it: if one clocking stream has the potential to get distorted, why would making three clocking streams that have to be synchronized be better?!?!?!?!?"
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
hgeifman in total agreement.I suggest the Ayre CODEX DAC.  The CODEX DAC has many design features not commonly found in a DAC that retails for $1,795.  One is a pure analog, linear power supply instead of the more commonly found switching power supply The Ayre is running expensive Toshiba Jfet outputs that in all my comparisons have not only run up against most all 5 k dacs but surpass as most just dont use them.   The CODEX DAC has "A fully-balanced signal path throughout the analog circuitry provides an inherently clean and quiet backdrop for your music. The zero-feedback design maintains all of the pace and rhythm of your favorite artist, rendering your digital music as effortlessly as if it were live”.   Best JohnnyR

https://www.ayre.com/products/digital/codex/
bjesien
1,284 posts
 
@Audioconnection,  any idea how the QB-9 Twenty upgrade sounds in comparison to the Codex?  I'm considering the Twenty upgrade to my Ayre that's worked flawlessly since 2009.
mswobo
59 posts
 
I love my Brooklyn. original not +,  plays well with my Innuos. Happy searching.
rareace
113 posts
 

I received both the Schiit Bifrost 2 and Border Patrol SE-i recently to compare a couple of well reviewed DACs. I have to say that the Schiit was not very impressive to my ears so that is going to be returned. Sure it sounds nice but overall not a huge difference to what I was getting from my Bluesound Node 2i.

Now the Border Patrol on the other hand has been utterly AMAZING! The music this thing makes is beautiful and just so natural and lifelike. I already expected that by the reviews but I’m totally blown away. Also what is really impressive is the bass extension beats the pants off the Schiit which was unexpected. Imaging, soundstage, details are all there in a holographic way. I close my eyes and I’m there with the musicians. Instruments and vocals sound scary real and emotional treat. If there is one knock I have to give it would be the noise floor could be darker but I use a tube amp so that doesn’t help. Just keep in mind the BP does require a high input impedance to match well.

Other than that it has taken my system up a huge notch. Gary Dew is a straight shooter and had great communication throughout the ordering process. He hand builds and tests each one before it ships out.

Highly recommended DAC for anyone in the market!

-Alex




melvinjames
416 posts
 
@rareace .. isn't the Border Patrol DAC twice the cost of the Bifrost? I think a comparison to the Gungnir Multibit would have been more meaningful (apples to apples). 
213runnin
914 posts
 
So in a direct comparison with a dac costing twice the Bifrost’s price, it held its own.   That’s a pretty good recommendation of the Bifrost.   If You’ve got a $2500 budget, as the thread title suggests, the Yggdrasil from Schiit is worth a listen.
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,825 posts
 
Just picked up the RME ADI-2 da DAC and it is awesome.  

Replacing a NAD M51 and although the M51 sounds very good the RME has clarity and detail that the NAD just can not match.  

The feature set set is amazing,  little bit of a learning curve.  Anyone that thinks they can just use it out of the box is fooling themselves 

There is a lot to miss if you don’t read the entire manual.   That said once I dialed it in it sounded incredible with any and all material although not very forgiving of poor recordings.  Not to worry , between the 20 memory 5 band parametric EQ , tone control , and loudness you can get any sound desired 

well worth $1100. 
pastorbob's avatar
pastorbob
78 posts
 
+ Audio Mirror.

Owned RME ADI-2
Owned Border Patrol
The AM bests them both for sheer musicality
clio09
3,355 posts
 
The new Channel Island Audio Streamer/DAC clocks in at $2k. I bought one on a whim as there was an introductory special (that may still be going on, need to contact them to find out) that knocked $400 off the price and another $100 if you are an Audio Circle member. I won't say it's the best under $2500 but I was quite surprised at the performance of this DAC and will be keeping it in my system.
adg101
1,062 posts
 
@pastorbob was your RME the earlier or current fs version? Just curious as I have the current model and find it very musical, but that being said I recently upgraded the power supply with a Teddy Pardo and now the RME really sings.

Any current RME owners should look into the Teddy. Don’t believe what RME says that changing the power supply will not make a difference. What has improved is lower tighter bottom end, more open and effortless top end with no edge. I don’t play loud but I have noticed on nasty or less quality recordings I can play louder with absolutely no fatigue. Lastly it now was PRaT. From Israel to the US in two weeks for $390... still well under $2,500 for both DAC and PS. Loving this combination.
pastorbob's avatar
pastorbob
78 posts
 
Hi,
Mine was the original with 4490EQ chip.
Don't get me wrong, I truly enjoyed the RME and used it for almost 2 years.
It is a wonderful piece for the price. So is the Audio Mirror.
The RME dac is crystal clear & allows "peering into" the music due to the extreme detail.
Also sound could be tailored to some degree.

I did not use an outboard power supply.
From what I read the RME dac has a very sophisticated internal power supply.

I do understand that power supply quality & implementation is a large part of the SQ provided by any dac.
So, I take your point

In fact I did just upgrade the power supply on my Linear Tube MICROzotl amp and immediately noticed a sizable improvement to SQ.

My opinion is that the Toubador just sounds more like music to me.
Of course hat is only MY opinion.
Continue to enjoy the ADI 2dac!
taww's avatar
taww
128 posts
 
Initial review of RMI ADI-2 DAC FS:
https://taww.co/post/621563416104108032/first-take-review-rme-adi-2-dac-fs

I have to agree with some of the comments here - this is a very underrated unit, at least if you are going to use it via balanced outputs. As a point of comparison, I find it a more engaging than the Ayre Codex and likely pretty competitive with the Chord units short of the DAVE.
douggie
11 posts
 
+1 for Chord Qutest

However, you really have to use a better DC power supply for it. Forget about the stock wall plug.
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