2. digital
  3. 162029-21

DAC Choices - $5,000 to $7,000

What are the current top DAC choices in the approximately $5-$7K price range (new or used) that I should look at as possible upgrades to my current Metrum Adagio?  Having an on-board volume control is not a factor as I can operate my system either way.   If I wanted to spend more I would look at Totaldac, Rockna Wavedream Signature, or one of the other top-end contenders, but I selected the price range to achieve a sound quality that is consistent with the rest of my system and because I don't want to spend more due to the still evolving nature of digital technology.  I do like the more natural sound (to my ears) of NOS R2R DACs.  So far, I have considered the three below, but none seem to be a slam-dunk upgrade from the Adagio, which still sounds pretty good in my system.  The decision is complicated by having to "buy to try" so that I can hear one in my system.  Maybe now is not the time for an upgrade.  Any thoughts?

  • Denafrips Terminator w/DSP board - Reportedly has the full body/dense tone type of sound I like, but also has a high'ish output impedance 
  • Holo May KTE - Reportedly measures great for an R2R DAC and has strong reviews 
  • Rockna Wavelight - Some reviewers like it but others put it in the middle of the pack for the price
mitch2

Showing 2 responses by rushfan71

rushfan71
297 posts
 
Mitch

You say you like the natural sound of R2R DACs and you are looking for one in the $5K - $7K range?
You have exactly that in the Adagio.
I have the Pavane, same as the Adagio w/out the volume control.

I had the Sonnet Morpheus for a while and A/B it with the Pavane feeding both with a Metrum Ambre streamer.
Very close but the Morpheus had a little more meat on the bones and more of a center image focus.
It's only $3500 because it uses a less expensive case than the Metrum's.

BTW. Sonnet is Metrum's former owner/engineers current company. The Morpheus is Cees Ruetenburg next version of his R2R design found in your Adagio and my Pavane.
I'll tell you he is currently working on the next design which is supposed to be a big step up.
FWIW.

Not sure what difference you're looking for. OCD HiFi channel guy on you tube does a DAC shootout where you can hear the same tracks through the Adagio and the Terminator as well as several others. Rockna might be one if I remember correctly.

Happy hunting
rushfan71
297 posts
 
@mitch2 
That's interesting. I ran both of those DAC's through a Primaluna Dialogue Premium preamp.
That's how I was able to A/B them in real time. They sound very similar other than the differences I listed.
But thin sounding? Far from it.

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