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Looking for a DAC < $1500

Need two coax inputs to hook up my CDP and Bluesound Node2. Not too many out there with two coax inputs but found a couple on A'gon and trying to decide; Bryston BDA-2, Primare Systems DAC 30, and for just a little more, a McIntosh D100. If your money, which would you pick. Or should I just go with something new from Marantz reference line that plays CD (or SACD) and has a coax input. The goal is to take the digital glare from my CD player - a real midfi unit, and the Bluesound's internal DAC. Thanks.
kalali

Showing 3 responses by kalali

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kalali OP
1,977 posts
 
Hadn't considered using a BNC -> RCA adaptor but that opens up another batch of possibilities. Don't see the BNC on the Bifrost but Gungnir has one. These DACs with BNC input, are they male or female? Can't tell from pictures. Thanks for all the suggestions.
kalali's avatar
kalali OP
1,977 posts
 

While looking for a DAC with two-coax inputs I came across Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus. I know pricewise it is not in the same league as some of the higher end units out there but the specs seem pretty decent. Anyone familiar with this DAC?

kalali's avatar
kalali OP
1,977 posts
 

I decided to drop my budget just a notch, at least for now, and tried a couple of more moderately priced DACs with two coax inputs - a friend's BDA-1 and a DACmagic Plus, and decided to hold on to the DACmagic. I don't know if its the built in upsampling or just system synergy but both the Node 2 and my old CDP sounded a little "warmer" with fuller low/mid bass through this DAC. I'll try my search next year after we've recovered from the Holidays.

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