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

I had an older Wyred 4 Sound DAC 2 and it just didn't work for me. It sounded dull and flat in my system - not engaging at all. I suspect the newer ones have improved a lot, but it could have just been a bad match for my system. I replaced it with the Yggy A2 which worked much better. I still have the Yggy in my workshop system and think it's a solid performer at it's price point. 

I have a Benchmark DAC3B. I will be getting a Matrix Audio Mini-I 3 Pro DAC tomorrow to pair with either a Topping A90 preamp (got it today) or my existing Benchmark HPA4 preamp. The better DAC will go with the HPA4 system.

Hopefully early next year, I am looking at either the AudioByte VOX | HUB | ZAP stack (1 power cord for all 3 units) or the Halo Audio May Level3. To pair with the HPA4. It will replace either the Matrix or Benchmark DAC3B.

The AudioByte and Rockna are from the same guy. The AudioByte stack seemed technically more adventurous than the Rockna Wavelight.

Try the wyred for sound 10th anniversary dac.There's a couple reviews on it and one of the reviewers said it was the most analog dac that he's ever had in his system. I bought one and I put it up against the $15,000 Canadian simaudio dac, and the wyred for sound just left it in the dust.I could even see the look on the salesman face that he knew that the 10th anniversary dac was better.And when I was leaving the store he asked me what's the name of that dac again I'm going to look it up.

@electroslacker - I think my next step is to add the Gaia to my Terminator, although I agree that using a Terminator+ with an Iris would likely be a good solution.

I've got my old preamp (Parasound JC2-BP) for sale. As soon as that's gone, I'll order the Gaia. 

The Topping E30 is on sale for $130.

I went from a Benchmark DAC2 to the Terminator.  Running it from a new HP laptop over Curious USB and added the USBe-Perfect coming out of laptop.  Seemed to take three weeks to settle in, but I'm very content now going all-streaming.  Quite involving.

Has anyone added a Denafrips Iris or Gaia to a Terminator that they already had? I'm tempted by the new Hermes but not sure there's any problem to fix. Anyone been amazed or disappointed?

One thought, if you go Terminator-plus, you can run a very good clock out of the T-plus back to any of their digital converters and have an end-game digital path. Terminator-plus with the clock driving Iris might be better than Terminator with Gaia for about same cost.

@fastfreight - I’ve been looking at both the PS Audio DirectStream DAC and the Auralic Vega G2. Could you elaborate on their differences and why you preferred the Auaralic?

There is only one reason anything is so expensive...it is worth it.  And that is for the listener to decide.  

Bifrost 2!!!!!!!  You can't go wrong and will stand up to any DAC.

Can we merge this with the cable thread and ask why a DAC is so expensive? It is after all just a chip.

It is the implementation of the multiple chips...You know it for sure... :)

Then i choose for a low cost dac with an absolute minimalistic design...Almost nothing around the chip TDA 1543...

i cannot fathom my luck after 3 years with the Starting Point system Nos dac of Christophe Mariac.... I stole it with a bid of 26 dollars new on ebay....Dont look for one at this price now tough but at even few hundred dollars it is a steal.....

This dac is so perfect that unlike any other i listen to it present no limitations on my modest audio system....

I know the Denafrips terminator will probably exceed it but at which price difference ?.... I will let you calculate....

It is the best deal ever in my audio life not because of the price paid only ( i paid my extraordinary speakers 50 dollars and 150 dollars my Sansui AU 7700) but mainly because of his S.Q. that is apparent in a rightly embedded audio system more so....

I apologize for my rant in this thread but i must give audio hope to those who cannot afford a Denafrips or something else on the same level...

I will never upgrade mine and i want to buy a second one for the long road in case....😎

Another vote for the Holo Audio May. I have its predecessor and love it. Trying not to catch upgraditis. There is so much going around out there!

Thanks all.  Not sure why the Bricasti was not on my radar but I am going to look into that one a bit more. 
@tvad , since you have the VRE-1c, I assume you are controlling your system volume from that preamp.  Do you set the volume on the M3 all the way up or is there a volume control bypass (jumpers or a switch) that allows you to take the volume control of the DAC out of the signal chain?   Have you tried it both through the preamp and DAC-direct into your amp?  Any observations to share?

Can we merge this with the cable thread and ask why a DAC is so expensive? It is after all just a chip.

I would strongly suggest you order the the Schiit Yggdrasil ($2500) for the 15 day trial period. Power it up for seven days then give it a listen. No way you’ll find something "twice as good" for twice the price. In some cases maybe not even as good. If you don't like it you can send it back.

Stretch for the Tambaqui by Mola Mola.  You will see it used or check
with GTT Audio for best price.  Worth it.  Replaced my PS Audio Direct Stream with Auralic Vega G2 (substantially better). Replaced Auralic with Tambaqui (substantially better again).  So resolving and so smooth.

I don't have experience with some of the other DACs recommended, but I'm happy with my Denafrips Terminator. I look for detail, deep and wide soundstage, smooth and natural vocals (particularly female), and some meat on the bones in the low frequencies. The Termy does a great job for me. I think if I upgrade, it will be to the Terminator+ with the Denafrips Gaia.

PS Audio DirectStream was declared equal to the Dave. Both slightly different.

@tvad How would you say the M5 compares to the Audio Mirror T3?

There's an M3 up on USAM if you're leaning that direction. I thought about it, but ended up ordering the Holo May (but don't have it yet).

Audio Note DAC3.1x is available balanced. R2R NOS, tube rectification and output stage. DAC2.1x Signature is SE, but there is a new 2.1x balanced.
AN components are known for their realistic sonics.

I personally listen through a Benchmark Dac B and really like it. But since you are willing to spend up...It would seem that the Holo May Kitsune is the way to go today. Hard to argue with the high quality of the reviews it's getting....and the test bench results.

The Chord TT2 is really great DAC.  The Dave is better but the TT2 can go toe-to-toe with any other unit in the price range.  It is also a relatively new model.  It has a slightly brighter sound profile with filters that can soften it.  It also has the flexibility to have a big step up with the addition of an M-Scaler.  

I have owned a Lampizator L4 G4 (I believe that was the number) and it was ok but the soundstage seemed larger than believable at the expense of resolution and dynamics

Yep, that's exactly what I heard too.  Notice that I said that it was "not totally accurate or realistic", lol.  There definitely was a lack of high frequency detail/accuracy which is also lack of resolution, but many people love the type of sound it puts out.

Look into a Bricasti M3 very very  close to their M1SE player. Yes I've heard both and own the M1

Thanks so far.  I have owned a Lampizator L4 G4 (I believe that was the number) and it was ok but the soundstage seemed larger than believable at the expense of resolution and dynamics, particularly in the bass which was big (somewhat bloated) and was not particularly hard-hitting.  I know they have improved since then but I have trouble identifying the differences between their many choices and I don't particularly like how they keep changing the lineup.  In addition,  I run my system fully balanced and most Lampis have single-ended outputs (which I can accommodate) and they also use a USB input, which I cannot accommodate from my Metrum Ambre endpoint.  I would have to go back to something like the SOtM SPS200 Ultra I used to own.  In any event, I appreciate the recommendation and will take a look since many people seem to like their DACs.
I have not really considered Chord.  I guess I heard the Dave was the model to own, which I could probably swing if I purchased used.

I have heard a higher end Lampizator DAC.  It is very organic and romantic sounding.  Maybe not totally accurate or realistic, but extremely pleasing to listen to.

Another R2R candidate you may want to look into is the Audio-GD  R-7 ($2668 USD).  Or even the R-7HE with regenerative power supply ($3499 USD).  But maybe these are too low priced for your target.

I know several people who have the Chord Hugo TT2 in excellent systems, and really like it. Combined with their M-Scaler upsampler, it’s supposed to be amazing but that doubles the cost to over $10k.

I would be very interested if I had the dough, because it can work as a preamp too and has a brilliant headphone stage.

The Denafrips intrigue me too.

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/chord-electronics-hugo-tt-2-dacpreampheadphone-amp-and-hugo-m-scaler/

I can highly recommend the Lampizator Atlantic TRP that I use which falls into your price range.  Very natural sound and a ton of flexibility to dial in your tonal preferences with tube rolling.