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 4 responses by kray

If you think the Pontus is 'excellent' then it seems a no brainer to stay in the family and move up to the Terminator. You might want to also consider moving up to Hermes or Gaia DDC. 

I use a Hermes DDC i2S into a Sonnet Morpheus and very pleased. If you're wanting to switch brands Sonnet makes a flagship DAC called Pasithea in your price range. 

@bassdude the T+A is not R2R, it's Delta-Sigma based

@mbmi I can attest to Vlad's excellent III SE, owned it for years. His new cap less, transformer output sound very intriguing. 

I now have a Pontus . I don’t like any upsampling DACs. They all sound brittle to me. I hear good things about the Sonnet Passithea. I will try it soon.

@lucmichaud1 I have the Sonnet Morpheus and it’s excellent, so I’m sure the Pasithea even better

@gregjacob @juanmanuelfangioii @willywonka  The Audio-GD review is in stereophile Nov 2022 print/digital edition magazine, page 25

@skinzy I've been wanting to try the Terminator II with Gaia DDC, since I currently have the Gaia. Do you prefer to OS or NOS mode?