Looking for a new DAC


 

Looking for dac recommendations

I have been slowly doing major upgrades to my system and now it’s time for a better dac.

Current system

Modwright KWH 225i integrated

Magnepan 3.7i speakers

Rotel RCD-1572 cd player

Will not be upgrading these anytime soon

 

Need upgrading

Schiit Modius dac

WiiM Ultra streamer (considering the Aurender N200)

Looking for a dac that will complement the Modwright and Magnepans.

 

Below is a few suggestions I have received but not sure how they will sound with my system.

T+A DAC 200

Gold Note DS-10 EVO

Laiv Harmony

Weiss DAC 204

 

ice812

If you have an audio dealer near you, go down there and see if you can figure out your sound profile a little better. 

Take your time and do your research on dacs check out the forums with people with similar setups and what they say. 

You got to add budget in here because you can spend anywhere from 2K to 40K. 

You're going to get some great advice here and a few good recommendations already. I'd also like to add the Mola Mola to the list, as I think it's a really good sounding deck, that has a great sound stage and profile that meets many listeners and has a warm lush sound that works for many of its owners. 

I also like the Holo Audio May KTE and Chord Dave. 

If you plan on spending more than 15K then that opens up the door to a whole bunch of other options.

 

Have listened to so many... a lot of them just sound the same so I went to a tube DAC. 1st a Line Magnetic 502ca (which I still have) and a better Canor DAC 2.10. Both are excellent and once you swap out for better vintage 12au7 & 6922, they are each excellent and right in my lane. The LM can be used in SS or tube output although I completely prefer its tube option. The Canor just plays breathtakingly clean and natural. It's holographic presentation is amazing and soundstage is wide and accurate; a great machine for sure. Instruments seem to float each isolated in their own soundscape, if that registers. Unpacks everything and scrubs any and all digital residu out of the music.
Can't beat up any of the others mentioned cause this is all so subjective but reviews can only take you so far. You have to go out and listen. If that's not possible, my recommendation would be either if these two manufacturers. The Line Magnetic has no doubt been replaced by a new model but the Canor is current as I just purchased mine last year.

Just my opinion...

Schitt Gungir 2.  Modular and upgradeable (without having to send the unit into Schitt).  Excellent reviews.  

Bricasti equipment is top notch & they sound great at all their price points. They’re all tight, clean & highly detailed w/ enormous sound stage without being harsh or bright. These qualities just become more so as you move up the line. They started out making pro studio equipment & still do so as well. 

 Their equipment is all designed & built in MA & they manufacture and on site much of hardware they use including cabinets, feet, knobs etc & wind their own transformers. The circuit boards are built to their specs w/ top quality parts they provide in a specialty company next door & thus the quality control is outstanding. You can call them anytime & talk w/ the folks that run the whole thing anytime. 


 

 

I have Pass Labs amps into MG3.7i’s. I use a Mola Mola Tambaqui, which is excellent