Best DACs under $7,000.00


I'm tentatively beginning the search for a DAC upgrade.  Currently, I have Innuos Zen MK3 as a streamer connected via USB to a Denafrips Iris DDC that is connected via I2S to a Denafrips Pontus II DAC.  The Pontus II is excellent but I feel it's the one point where I could gain incremental improvement toward that illusive natural, layered, analog end-of-the-rainbow.  I simply can't / won't spend above $5,000.00 - $7,000.00 on the DAC. The rest of my system:  top-of-line Prima Luna Evo 400 Integrated Amp and a set of Harbeth speakers.  Right now, I'm looking at Denafrips Terminator II or Holo Audio May DAC.  I've never seen an a/b comparison of these two, but both stand out and have a following.  Of course, the unsettling thing is DACs have evolved so much and are still in a blooming state technologically, making it a given that whatever we have today will probably be surpassed by better for less later, like electric vehicles. But that's the nature of the beast.  Does anyone have alternative suggestions in this current climate?

gregjacob

Showing 7 responses by juanmanuelfangioii

Have any had any experience with the SPL Director?  I have the SPL Phonos and love it.

SPL Director Mk2 Preamplifier / DAC; D/A Converter; Black (Open Box)

Well it is all subjective and This poll can only be used for making a list of potential candidates.

The OP will have to narrow the list down. Based on one commenter here I would toss his poll numbers into the percentage error bucket and move on. 

 

 

Pass on the PRC stuff have a DAC on the way to demo and it is R2R see if it beat my 680D. Of its a LessLoss.