If you don't need DSD the Audio-GD Master 7 ($2400) is the best dac I have ever heard and yes I have heard the Direct stream
Alan
Alan
Best DAC for over 2000
I recently purchased a PS Audio DSD Directstream DAC. I had the Perfectwave DAC and found it to be very good but the DSD DAC was just phenomenal by comparison. With the upgrade deal I paid 4000 for the DSD DAC (6K new) but now I am wondering if I should also pay to keep and upgrade my Perfectwave for another 3K or just look for another DAC. I have 2 different music rooms and could use 2 DACs. Is there anything out there that compares?
17 responses Add your response
If you only intend to listen to Redbook (pcm) with this dac,, then the Schitt Yggdrasil (bit perfect R2R Multibit) the best way to convert Redbook (pcm) forget dsd dacs. And it comes with a 15 day money back trial. http://schiit.com/products/yggdrasil Cheers George |
I suggest
you look at the Prism Sound Callia DAC. I heard the Callia DAC at the
T.H.E. Show and liked it very much. I enjoyed its sound quality and its
functionality. The Callia DAC is fully
balanced and includes USB, optical and coaxial inputs. It also has XLR
outputs for connecting to a balanced amplifier. The Callia DAC also has a
volume control for going direct to a power amplifier and a 2nd volume control
for a headphone. A dip switch at the back of the DAC enables you to de-activate the volume control, if needed. Please see:
http://www.prismsound.com/hifi/products_subs/dac1/dac1_home.php http://www.prismsound.com/hifi/products_subs/dac1/dac1_spec.php I was very impressed its musical sound quality and also the people from Prism Sound. I ordered the Prism Sound Callia DAC and it is expected in three weeks (estimated). I wanted a DAC from a strong, experienced company that would support me and their products. Of course, the main thing is the DAC had to sound excellent and have the input connections I needed. These are some of the reasons why I purchased the Prism Sound Callia DAC. |
I also have a Bricasti M1 SE DAC for my audio system. It runs direct into my Hypex NCore NC400 Bridged Mono Block class D Power Amplifiers. I am not using a pre-amplifier. The Bricasti M1 SE DAC is an excellent sounding DAC and I like mine very much. The Prism Sound Callia DAC I mentioned above is for my video system using optical (TiVo cable box) and coaxial (Sony Blu-Ry player) inputs only (no USB input). |
hgeifman: Remember to calibrate the maximum output voltage, so Bricasti M1’s volume control is used in it’s top 1/4 of full output, so there’s no chance of "bit stripping" when the volume is use too low. My friend has one of these and also uses it direct, and he finally got around calibrating the volume so it used almost at max, and he said it did sound so much better then. Cheers George |
I have enjoyed a PS Audio DirectStream DAC for now about 18 months, no plans to change. My dealer highly recommends the Bricasti M1, thinks it's a step up from the PS Audio. He's not steered me wrong on any of my purchases. I'm perfectly satisfied with the PS Audio, but if I wasn't, I'd consider the Bricasti. |
Cant advise just yet on which DAC to purchase.. However, i pulled the trigger yesterday and i am now awaiting the arrival of a Callia... After researching countless reviews and looking at DAC after DAC at this price point and other factors weighed i felt very comfortable with my decision on the Callia.. Plus it was on sale ( yesterday was the last day) which made it that much easier to decide. Frank and Janice were prompt in their response and i have to agree with the person who was at the beginning of this thread, dont see him now. Anyway, they both were courteous and very professional and the warranty was recently extended to 3 yrs., A no brainer in my book.. PS, i recently read a thread where a buyer had extremely poor service with Mytek and had not recieved his unit after several months. I ruled them out immediately afterwards. The only ambivilence was the Chord Hugo 2 at $1,800. That being said i got the Callia under that😏 so no worries here... plus, i already have the mojo... |
Lots of great recommendations here. I'm sure they all sound fantastic, so at this level it really comes down to your personal preferences. What properties of a DAC are most important to you and what aspects would you like to improve upon if possible? I'll just mention the Metrum Pavane as another potential option to explore. Best of luck. |