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I love my Concert Fidelity DAC-040 Tube Vacuum D/A Converter with my Metronome Technologie Kalista Reference as CDT; form me, simply the best.
BR, |
No kidding. Map is digging deep! |
Holy thread resurrection, Mapman !!!!! |
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Musical Design's Dac 1A20 is a must hear |
I have found that the setup of all equipment, especially the ones responsible for conversion/amplification, to have significant impact on the sound. By this I mean that with good powercords with clean power, isolation devices, and interconnects, an otherwise mid-priced DAC can be made to sound superior to ultra expensive DACs.
Anyway, in answer to your query, the 2 brands of DACs which I prefer are the Meridian and Theta. Preferred powercord : JPS Digital AC. Preferred isolation : DH Jumbo cones on special composite material. Preferred power source : PS Audio P300. |
I love my Stellavox ST2 DAC(the latest version!$1800.00)by Goldmund (it has a sound comes close to Golmund Mimesis 21 DAC ($11,000.00) which is paired up with my EMC1 UP 24/192 CDP even though the DAC is only 24/96 but it sounnds dynamic, articulate, musical and transparent (I do not even use the sub for my monitors Dulcinea). This is the best solid state DAC I ever have. |
What about these?
Burmester Reference Line SRC D/A Converter 970
MBL 1611D
dCS Elgar Plus
Wadia 27ix (a new series 9000 statement DAC available soon)
Boulder 2020
Mark Levinson No. 30.6 Reference Digital Processor
Spectral Audio SDR-3000 (a new SDR-4000 statement DAC soon)
Forsell Air Reference DAC
Goldmund Mimesis 20M
Weiss Medea
Audiomeca Enkianthus X
Meridian Refeference 861
TUBE
Jadis JS-1
Audio Note/Kondo Onagaku KSL 24
Sonic Frontiers Processor 3
Audio Aero Prima
Audio Logic MXL 24
Tube Research Labs PGT Reference Multichannel Processor |
I use my Audio Aero Mark II for all of my DAC needs. I use the toslink for Satellite, coax for DVDs and I run my CDs from the Audio Aero. The Audio Aero has a volumn control and i understand the newest versions will even have an analog input so I can run my receiver through it and then I get a full preamp and CD player all in one and this might even justify the price. |
I am enjoying my Chord DAC64, with a CEC TL-1X. Couldn't really enjoy digital until I bought the Chord. I also have a Burmester 001, and find it and the Chord/CEC equally enjoyable. |
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I must agree with Caterham1700. The 47 Labs dacs are superb music communicators. I have had MANY hi end digital products from Accuphase, Wadia, and Levinson and all have fallen to the musical 47Labs! |
dear LİBOR 35,
which transport are you using with Weiss dac? |
I'd also be in full agreement with Budrew's recommendation of the non-filtered, non-oversampling AudioNotes as well as my personal favorites, the 47Labs Progression and Shigaraki DAC's.
These units have finally persuaded me that Redbook CD is a genuinely musically viable format.
I'd not felt that way until their advent.
Every digital source that I had been exposed to prior to the 47 labs and AN devices always annoyed with a persistance impression of a mechanical process underlying the music.
These units have an alluring directness and natural ease that must be heard. Being a dyed-in-the-wool hardcore vinyl advocate, that's the highest praise I can give. |
Can't leave out the Audio Note DACs. One of the component additions that got me saying "wow", again and again. |
I love my Bel Canto DAC2, but while I auditioned lots of single box CD players, the Bel Canto is the only DAC I auditioned. Have fun listening! |
I'm very happy with the Electrocompaniet ECD-1. I must say though that I find the sound of Dacs-like most things audio-to be a highly personal and subjective thing. I strongly suggest auditioning a few if possible to determine your choice. It might save you a few Audiogon transactions! |
Weiss MEDEA, after owning emm labs DAC6, dCS Purcell/Delius, ML 30.6 and 380S, Audiomeca Enkianthus, Cello Reference DAC, Meridian 861, Pacific Microsonics Model One, among others. |
John Marks of Stereophile talked me into a Benchmark Media Systems DAC-1. It's a pro unit that has since received many audiophile rave reviews. It's about $900 and can be returned if you don't like it. |
Steve, for what it's worth, I LOVE my Audiomeca. I had a 1 month period to A-B it against other dacs including the EMC-1, which I also had for over a month. The Audiomeca is an incredible sounding unit. I can honestly say, it's the first time I actually found digital pleasing to the ear. I am running full balanced from an Audiomeca Obsession player through to a YBA amp. I can"t say enough about the Audiomeca stuff.
Best of luck with your decision, Ed. |
