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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
gregjacob OP
114 posts
 

To chopandchange:

You mentioned the Elite Plixir Conditioner.  
Yes, I actually have a similar line conditioner but made by Denafrips. 

gregjacob OP
114 posts
 

To jeremyjava:

Beautiful testimony and completely relatable. The May is on my short list (now down to about 4-5). Thanks for adding this. 

wdguru's avatar
wdguru
12 posts
 

I have to agree with JeremyJava on the Holo May KTE about the placement of instruments, particularly on  a well recorded piano piece. You can really hear  the spacing of notes from high to low.

One other thing the May lets you do is play sacd's using an HDMI to I2S Interface. The files register as DSD on the Holo display.

nquery
103 posts
 

I have owned both the Holo May KTE (with HQP upsampled input) and Lampizator Baltic 3. A/B'ed them for a while but honestly, it didn't take long to convince me that the B3 sounded much better. (The May certainly wins on build quality, and technical measures no doubt). I have also owned an Amber 3 and that was very good too. The new Amber 4 is probably a great option.

davespencer's avatar
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davespencer
17 posts
 

A third recommendation for the Sonnet Pasithea. Auditioned vs. Tambaqui, Weiss, Holo May, Linn Klimax. Tambaqui was 2nd choice. With its Hermes streamer connected via I2S it's simply joyous. 

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