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DAC's for the money?

Hi all,
Having been working for about two years now on my system, which has graduated from entry-level Sony/Inifnity to Rotel, Pio Elite, Infinity Kappas, and a partridge in a pear tree, I am seriously looking to upgrade my digital playback.
I have the Elite DV-47ai player, which I have run for both high-res stereo and digital direct to my processor (Rotel RSP-1068.) I have a Philips burner deck laying about, and am using that as a budget transport (student here!) directly to the processor also.
I have become convinced that I should purchase a good, relatively inexpensive DAC as a way to greatly improve my CD performance. I am after the Musical Fidelity A3.24, which I can get here on the 'Gon for about $650 +-.
Are there any other DACs that can offer me the same level of performance for about the same price? If I had my druthers, I's be able to purchase the MF Tri-Vista series, both SACD and DAC, but, as I am getting ready for graduate school, the cash just ain't there!
AM I on the right track with the A3 24, or should I consider others?

Thanks for imparting any wisdom!

Cheers.

JonB
breitlingdj

Showing 4 responses by audioengr

audioengr
3,282 posts
 
You player is actually one of the best players to mod. Makes a great transport. IF you get an outboard DAC, you should consider at least getting the digital out modded and maybe a more stable clock for it. Otherwise, you will not get the full benefits of the outboard DAC.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Yes, mod the Pioneer.

The Birdland is one of the best-sounding stock DAC's. dAck! is also very good stock.

The MFA3 24 is okay, but not as good stock as the DAC's above.

I would recommend using the toslink for movies - get a good glass fiber cable, such as:
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/category.cgi?category=220&item=SP-TOC-99HQ&type=store

and then use the S/PDIF output for the DAC. They are both active at the same time and both will benefit from power and digital mods.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Mods are all listed on my webpage, but I get new devices to modify almost weekly. In the last week I started modding dAck! and Scott Nixon TubeDAC, and these are not even on my website yet.

The process is that the customer usually ships their equipment to me with a check enclosed for the mods and return shipping (insured). I email a quote or estimate first. Mods are first-come-first-served, so when it's turn comes, I modify it. Usually takes less than 2 weeks, unless I have parts back-ordered. Mods for all types of equipment are listed on my webpage, but the kinds of things that I modify inside the equipment are listed in this article (and the reasons) that I wrote for Positive-Feedback:
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue15/modsnugent.htm

I publish customer feedback on my website for each mod, but only that which is posted to Audiogon, Audio Asylum or Audiocircle discussion groups. This way, you know it is not contrived.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
The only downside of modding the DV-47Ai as a CDP is that the analog outs are AC-coupled. DAC's such as the P-3A, MSB Gold and Electrocompaniet ECD-1 are all DC-coupled, which makes them better candidates to achieve world-class performance with mods. With expensive coupling caps, the DV-47Ai will come close though.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer
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