hey my system is entirely asr approved
i sit in the other room and enjoy it on my oscilloscope
Is there a DAC ranking list?
This is a follow up from my previous thread seeking more definition and presence in my music. Among other ideas, I was advised to get a new DAC and several brands were tossed out from $100 to $1700+. The world of DAC’s is large, and I’m wondering if there’s a ranking list for them, similar to Crinicles list for earphones. I especially like the value ratings on that list, such as “Redefines the price bracket.”
Here’s a recap of my scenario:
I listen to jazz at lower volumes on radio.garden.com via my Apple iPad pro
My room is big, 20ft by 40ft, no carpeting or drapes, with a corner LP triangle
Apple AirPort Express Wireless Router a1392 300Mbps
B & O BeoLab 8000 powered speakers, 10ft from the LP
Hsu ULS15 Mk II 15in sealed sub imid-room
Paradigm Monitor Series 7 12in sealed sub mid-room via wireless transmitter
Monoprice cables 10ft and 25ft, 22awg, 3.5mm plugs to RCA connections
I am sure there are many good and great DAC’s out there. But are there some that punch above their price category? I also don’t want to pay a premium for one that exceeds the quality capabilities of the rest of my system.
My music sounds “A++” with my Moondrop Blessing headphones, so listening to radio.garden.com on my iPad is giving me the quality of sound that I am seeking for my speakers.
Also, I don’t know if I need a DAC with a preamp or a streamer. Thx for any ideas you might have that could help me.
Showing 6 responses by jjss49
with due respect to other responders - there are clear and salient alternatives to the chord qutest, as good as a dac as it is at $1500 used, the other terrific alternatives are, based on my travels through dac land... prime examples - denafrips pontus - soekris 1541 or newer model 2541 - mdht orchid or istanbul (for less money, about a grand), but doing a tube upgrade, perhaps with a tube adapter closes the cost gap some qutest is excellent, on the clear and clean, slightly lean side of the spectrum... excellent spatial capabilities, filters are nice but barely perceptible, fixed output denafrips and soekris provide the spatial excellence but more midrange midbass warmth and fullness many appreciate, xlr outputs, additionally the soekris adds remote volume capability and headphone out, big plusses for some mhdt tube dacs are yang to the chord’s ying -- warm, flowing, slightly softer focus, more natural less robotic sound, more coherent top to bottom, more analog in presentation overall, a more rose colored glasses view of the world... many systems can benefit from this front end just my 2 cents |
op
schiit bifrost mb or chord mojo -- with your view on burgers i suspect these dacs will work just fine for you... more grist for your mill on the low end - equivalent of the 'best' 4 dollar burger... ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Cv29Klqlsw |
can someone rank the best burgers in the usa? best smoked brisket? best french bordeaux? best sports cars? best seafood restaurants? best paintings in the louvre? speaker rankings? record player rankings? please please please... will make life so much easier... ordinals are just so clear, unambiguous.... just wanna know the rankings... 😉 sorry, couldn’t resist... |