DAC for Aurender N200

@fthompson251 ya, more than $2k difference between the Terminator and DAC 200.  It’s certainly the better value and imo sounds better too.

@hickamore 

You got some good recommendations. Choosing a DAC to pair with the Aurender N200 depends on your sound preferences, system synergy and budget. The N200 is a high-quality streamer with excellent timing and transparency, so you’ll want a DAC that complements its strengths without introducing unwanted coloration.

I can make some recommendations based on my experience with different DAC’s and Aurender models I’ve owned over the years, 

Holo May KTE - It’s a R2R DAC with exceptional resolution and tonal balance. Its natural sound pairs well with the N200’s precision. You’re likely to hear deep soundstage, natural tonality, and excellent detail retrieval. 

LampizatOr Baltic 4 or Amber 4 - For their warmth and richness. I would only recommend a LampizatOr DAC if your rest of the system is Solid State and you feel it lacks warmth and musicality. 

dCS Bartók or Rossini  - Highly detailed, expansive and transparent. Personally, I wasn’t impressed due to its slightly dry texture and analytical sound. I have only heard non-Apex version. Not sure, if Apex version sounds more engaging?  

Master Fidelity NADAC D (formerly Merging Technologies NADAC) - I would choose this DAC for extreme transparency, wide soundstage and reference level detail. It strikes a perfect balance between smoothness and accuracy with a firm grip on musicality. 

Bricasti M1 SE or M3 - You get a refined, dynamic and detailed sound with its distinctive natural tonality.

If you’re aspiring to build an all ARC system, then DAC’9 with latest USB board would do just fine. I used to own DAC 9 and it’s a fine sounding DAC within ARC ecosystem. 

Whichever DAC you choose to go with, its Synergy with rest of your system is far more critical than any XYZ brand. 

Do you lean toward a specific type of sound, e.g., warm and lush, neutral and precise. Knowing that could help narrow down the choices further and not feel overwhelmed by plethora of available choices in DAC’s. 

Absolutely love my Mojo Mystique EVO DAC with USB from a Bricasti M5.

Interesting thread to check out…https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/six-dac-comparison

@lalitk  @audphile1 & others very helpful, many thanks. I always prefer the warm side for extended listening, whatever the genre. This tends to mean Class A amplification and/or tubes somewhere along the way.

@fthompson251 Does one pre-order the Terminator 15th direct from Denafrips since the Vinshine demise? How much VAT/other taxes?

Owing to uncorrectable hearing loss, the very top end is wasted on me. Which means audio budget is limited not only by finance, but by inability to hear the higher levels of refinement. Ear fungus, alas, is a real thing. Ate a hole in right eardrum 20 years ago, and now left as well. "Healing" means permanent scar tissue. But that's for another thread.
 

I’m on the other end of this inquiry. I have a Bricasti M1SE and have been tire kicking for a streamer… pretty close to pulling trigger on an N200 but I swear somewhere I read the Bricasti is better with Ethernet rather than USB? Would love for someone to tell me that’s not true lol.