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DAC RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE

Hello,

Presently my system is: Qobuz > Lumin U1 Mini Streamer > Electrocompaniet ECD-1 Dac > Herron VTSP-3A (R03) Pre > Odyssey Khartago Extreme Amp > KEF r11 Speakers.

The ECD-1 dac is 20 years old. I've had issues with this dac at times not playing 24/192 music at all even though its rated to handle it. Recently I've had to adjust settings in the Lumin to play 24/192 music at 24/96 in order for it to play. So, I want to replace it with something using a bit more current technology. My budget is 1800.00 for something used.

To my ears, the KEF r11 is a very detailed and revealing speaker. Well recorded music sounds great. Poorly recorded music sounds very poor and again to me, that means edgy and fatiguing highs. I'm looking for a warm and musical presentation. Things I've done to lean in that direction are getting the Herron pre and adjusting the bias of the Khartago towards a warmer sound also.

Dacs I've been studying have been R2R NOS dacs like Border Patrol, Denefrips Pontus II, and others. I also have looked at the Schiit Yggy LIM.  So I'd love to hear from anyone who perhaps has had a similar quest and what was found to fit the warm and musical goal. Thanks for any comments!

JM

jfmerk
jfmerk OP
20 posts
 

Thanks for the all comments, suggestions and sound advise!

@dickieboy   I'll look into the DS dac.  Thanks

@rick_n   Thx, I'll into the Holo Audio Spring 3

@mbmi   I'll look into the Troubadour dac. Audio Mirror is 30 minutes from where I live. Perhaps I can demo one in my home.

@decooney Thx for the sound advise. I do have a few friends with very nice rigs that I get together with. Pretty sure someone would let me demo one of their dacs; Audio Note 4.1 (kit), Lampizator and Aqua La Scala

@dhungana  Thx and as mentioned I'll check out Audio Mirror

rubicon15
90 posts
 

@lordrootman, you hit the nail on the head. Don’t hurt his feelings or he will report you to admin and have the post censored/deleted. 

jfmerk OP
20 posts
 

Just to be clear, I realize my friends stuff is way outside my budget of course.  But, if I listen to dacs such as those I listed, I may learn just how a really good dac can sound. I also may learn that my ears just can't hear the difference or that there  isn't enough improvement for me to make any changes at all. But it shouldn't be hard to improve on a 20 year old dac.

Thanks again!

vthokie83
845 posts
 

I've owned a Denafrips Pontus II DAC for a couple of years now, and absolutely love it and the "house sound" from Denafrips R2R DACs. Bard apparently has never owned a Pontus II, otherwise he would know that it is the opposite of "harsh".....it actually has some "tube like" warmth, which makes crappy recordings bearable.

I'm driving mine through a Denafrips Iris DDC via I2S, which brings things up even further. The Pontus II 12th at $1,800 is a steal.....and if you so choose, you can add the Iris DDC $560.....for a great $2,300 combo using I2S

soix
9,456 posts
 

@lordrootman You’re a pretender.  I professionally reviewed high-end audio for 17 years and u got nuthin’.  Bring it if u got it.

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