DACed and Confused here...
So many brands/models/shapes/sizes. Everyone has an opinion.
I have decided to start my streaming with a DAC. I will probably just use a tablet initially with Quobuz or Tidal, before ultimately getting a proper streamer.
Looking for <=$1500. I thought I was set with the RME ADI-2 until I read here that it would require a new power supply and basically an engineering degree to make it sound good (not flat, not analytical). Is that price point too low?
System is ARC REF 5se --> Art Audio PX-25 --> Blumenhofer FS-2, with the DAC coming in as the source.
Can anyone give me some guidance?
You might go up the line by going used with a Denafrips or a Chord, or others. In other words, get twice the DAC your budget indicates by buying from a reliable seller, used. My Schiit Bifrost 2/64 was purchased new and it's pretty amazing for less than $1k. |
+1 @soix -- Agree on not underspending. If you buy used you can re-sell for around the same price. A bit of hassle for a lot of learning. I'd get the Denafrips Pontus and live with it for a while. Just my two cents. (I don't own Denafrips, by the way, but have heard them; they're quite nice.) There's a Venus, too. In case you are interested in spending a bit more, these seem like real standouts: Weiss DAC 204 -- I'd offer $2500 and see what happens. These are very very well built and reviewed. There's one lower down the line, too. Perhaps something to bargain for. Some really praise the Sonnet Morpheus, too. Here.
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