New DAC! Meitner MA3, Denafrips Terminator Plus, Holo May KTE, Mola Mola Tambaqui


Currently have an original Schiit yggdrasil.  Thinking about taking another step up or maybe two steps!  Is the Holo May still good?  I know I hear a lot about Denafrips.  Then someone was mentioning Mola Mola. 

I like the idea of the i2s HDMI connection, I believe this is so I could have my DAC decode SACD versus a player. 

Also considering name brands dCS Lina, Meitner MA3, MSB?

Wilson Alexia V

Dan D'Agostino S250

Mac mini running Roon

Is anyone really winning in this space.  Tough for me to demo at home as I'm 2 hours from HiFi Shops and they are kind of limited in the direct to consumer DACs.

Thank you!

chauncey

Showing 1 response by stuartk

You say you want "better" but what exactly would "better" sound like? Would you recognize it if you heard it? Do your research, read reviews, compare specs and listening impressions but in the end, you are going to have listen for yourself.

If you are not in a hurry and enjoy buying and selling, you can always buy used and sell it if you don’t like it. Whether you do this, or order from one of the online vendors who offer return policies, it still amounts to the same thing -- basing your ultimate decision upon what you hear, in your system, in your room.

Even if you had a half dozen dealers close to you it’s unlikely any would be amenable to a home demo. That is simply not their business model. Among others, The Music Room, Audio Advisor, Listen Up! and Upscale Audio all offer return policies on online sales.

The alternative is to buy new gear based on someone else's opinion and hope you like it. This might work out. But then again, it might not.