DAC-Preamp having these specifications?


Rather than asking for feedback about specific products, I thought I instead would ask for your recommendations of a DAC-Preamp product(s) having a desired set of following specifications:

Output Impedance: < 300 Ohms
Balanced outputs (XLR)
Unbalanced outputs (RCA)
2 or more analog inputs (RCA or XLR)
2 or more digital inputs (coaxial + optical or USB)
DAC section preferably uses discrete components over op-amps
DAC signal processing capabilities should the usual fare though need not include every conceivable format
Price: ~$2,500 or less




celander

Showing 4 responses by 1graber2

Celander,
I have used Bel Canto DACs the last 5 years.
I currently have the DAC 3.7. It is a hybrid design with SS and Class D, and is incredibly accurate (they use TOTL clocks), musical, fast, with top to bottom balance as well as gravitas in the low end.

Can be had for $2500. has an outboard PSU- it is a "virtual battery supply", that has such low distortion that it mimics an actual battery )(batteries have less distortion than a power supply attached to the wall constantly).

this is a $5000-6000 DAC that is priced at $2500 due to Bel Canto not really advertising much and using more word of mouth to sell products.

In fact, this is a discontinued model b/c it was so good in combination with the Bel Canto Renderer that is was detracting from their sales of their new line of "Black" and "Black EX" products, which run over $15,000. I hope I am making my point here ....

only drawbacks: one Analog input, BUT you can connect a high end splitter for 2-4 inputs (eg. from Goldpoint, $300-400) http://www.goldpt.com/index.html ) or a cheap one from Schiit.

But, the ADC in this DAC is very high end, and like no other I have experienced. it will take a signal, eg from my tuner, convert it to digital, then use their propriety ADC to convert to 24/192 hi res audio. And it sounds amazing.

The DAC is always in Standby mode, using 0 watts!
When being used, the two units (Audio and power) only use a paltry 18 watts. So you save money not only on using less power, but use less AC during the summer to keep the room cool!

best of luck, and I have no affiliation with Bel Canto, just a fan trying to get the word out,
http://www.belcantodesign.com/home/

now we are digging a little deeper into the OPs choices: DACs

IMO, I dont like the Sabre DACs, I think they sound too sweet and syrupy, like a sonic signal being over processed a 1000 times. Doesn't even sound real to me. I prefer AKM and Burr-Brown chips myself.

Again, Celander, Bel Canto DAC 3.7, and you can thank me later.
At least give it a demo ....
@celander 
Ok, i was thinking used prices, with range for a used but Exc condition unit from $2400-$3500, which I have seen IME. Many sellers appear to settle around $2500 as a final price, which would fit the budget. 
But you only want new?
@celander ... or anyone
Here is your Bel Canto 3.7 DAC with PSU within budget of $2500.

IMO, it is pretty risk- free.
Not just bc of the Exc SQ, but b/c if for some insane reason you don’t like it, you can sell it for the same price you paid, or even make a couple hundred dollars with a resell.
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis93eaa-bel-canto-design-dac-3-7-w-vbs1-mint-obm-auth-bc-dlr-50-d...

This is is Mint unit that a AV dealer is just trying to offload at less than 1/2 price of the MSRP 

Re: the Benchmark DACs, I almost bought one 5 years ago. The jitter and specs looked great, but when I actually listed to the Benchmanrk, I found it to be dry and sterile sounding. And no no offense to the Benchmark lovers, just IME. 

John Strongzer of Bel Canto has been designing DACs and Class D for over 20 years. 
Again, Bel Canto advertises very little, they don’t spend much of their budget money on advertising (like Benchmark), so that means more R and D $  is going directly into the product. 
Best