New DACs High End Munich 2023

I would like to hear the new Ferrum DAC + Power supply.

Might be worth checking out at that price point.

I highly recommend that you speak with Ben at Mojo Audio. 

You can access reviews of his products.  He answers 

his phone and will spend time with you. He offers risk free 

auditions and many of  his products are on sale.

One thing I did forget to mention, since folks discussed using the Oppo's HDMI. The CD playback from my current Oppo is "average". When you playback using USB, it is a vastly positive experience. The last time I used it as a CD player was in June-2021. So just for fun, I decided to try to play CD on it, just to see if USB or disc-drive makes a difference. I listened to the first 10 seconds and ejected the CD. I also then tried to play BluRay after connecting the HDMI on the TV. And for this needs, it is a stellar unit.

@jayctoy , I understand your requirement now. I did see that you have multiple systems. Yes, love the Rhumba, especially with the NOS Mazda tubes.

I really have no preference to tech when it comes to DACs. Chip, R2R, FPGA, does not matter. All that matters is, if will make a positive change in my listening experience.

    The point of my posts here was to agree with @yyzsantabarbara saying FPGA DAC are the future.  Maybe I misunderstood his/her statement but I'd like to think more DAC manufactures will future proof their offerings by following Denifrips/Vinshine's policy of free upgrades and different "tunings" to choose from.  This is possible with pure FPGA DACs as well as FPGA "controlled" devices.

@ acmier3,  I'm no engineer but here's the descriptive post from Alvin at Vinshine Audio:

https://www.vinshineaudio.com/so/adOWUmVqi?languageTag=en&cid=110512b0-13c8-4484-ab7f-8c1a5d515110

I have a photo of the FPGA chip in my DAC.  It is not programed as an analog filter but the master controller of the resistor ladder.  I know you are thinking of pure FPGA DACs like the Cord Electronic line...not the same architecture. 

By the way I love your Backert preamp. A friend of mine has one.

What about Aqua La Voce S3? Runs close to the top of your budget, but has been reviewed as hitting well above its price. It’s seems to be a discrete dac with something special. I’ve never heard it, but others I know have and say it’s pretty exquisite.

http://6moons.com/audioreviews2/aqua4/1.html

Partly Milpai I love Tubes cdp too. I have the the Raysonic 168 and 238 as well. You are right maybe I just want something different.But Iam not in a hurry to jump into those DACs I mentioned.. I do have the Schiit Gungnir pair with Cambridge transport.

Milpai those DAC I mentioned will be going to my second system. Yes indeed I own the SA10 and Ruby both are stellar sacd players.On redbook I prefer transport and a good dac.

@jayctoy ,

You already own the excellent Marantz SA10. I am wondering what this player/DAC lacks? If I had that one, I would simply stop looking. But maybe you are searching for something different?

@arafiq ,

Believe me, the T+A DAC 200 is on the very top of the list. But unfortunately it is beyond the price range. This is the only DAC that consistently gets positive reviews.In fact some users feel that between this and the $10k+ DACs, the improvement might not be even worth the money the pricier DACs are commanding. I have not heard any of them, so I cannot come to any conclusion.

The Bricasti M3 also has great reviews. I will definitely check out the Waversa.

Suggest try hearing a Bricasti M3. Love mine. 

There is a new Korean brand Waversa which I am hearing good things about which you may want to checkout

@old_ears that’s not an FPGA DAC… and dumb AF if true. That would be inserting a digital filter after its already analog thereby negating the very purpose of R2R DAC architecture. After it’s in analog they’d be converting it back to digital, filtering it, then converting it to analog again.

@acmaier3   The Pontus II is indeed an R2R DAC, but the ladder is controlled by an FPGA chip that has 3 different firmware editions available with different sound outputs.

Denafrips Terminator,  R2R ?

@old_ears sorry to correct you but the Pontus II is not FPGA based - it is an R2R design. 

yyzsantabarbara,  After listening thru the 3 FPGA "tunings" of late on my Pontus II, I agree...very nice to have a manufacture/distributer that offers free upgrades and tries to accommodate differing ears.  The FPGA programing can create quite different sounding output.  The I2s/HDMI connection to my OPPO 85 was a main reason for the purchase...very satisfied!

Weiss is a great choice, LessLoss, Musical Fidelity, Mearson. 

Milpai Iam also thinking of looking to buy DAC my choice at this time either Used Audio Mirror or Schiit Yagdrassil..Weiss DAc maybe?

Slightly above your budget, but take a look at T+A DAC 200. 

In my system, I'm using Aavik which is also a fantastic DAC and far superior to the Denafrips Terminator II dac that it replaced. Aavik DACs don't get a lot of coverage here but based on my experience they offer great performance.

I agree @hgeifman 

And I am completely with you @lalitk. Tubes in preamp is fine with me. I don't want tubes in my DAC.

@milpai, As was suggested above the KEY WORD is "audition risk free in your home (Thanks, @lalitk)". You will never know how a DAC, or any other component, will sound in your system until you try it.

It is the synergy of all the components working together, including the room, that makes an audio system sound great. Have fun listening.

Great questions and suggestions. Thank You for that.

As far as improvements are concerned - Oppo is a jack of all. So I am expecting more resolution from a dedicated DAC.

FGPA DACs - I have been eyeing used Hugo TT2 for sometime now.

About the Bryston - heard mixed reviews - but intrigued by AKM chip, though I know that it is the implementation that matters.

Weiss converts everything to 195 PCM and that is not the path I want to go. Will kindly request posters to not bring up PCM Vs DSD discussion here.

Wandla - was not aware of this. So will surely look into this one.

One more DAC that I am eyeing is the Okto DAC. This is one that has high recommendation from both camps.

Have been very happy with the Benchmark; enough to stop thinking about DACs

@milpai seems the Weiss 204 is within your budget, if you don't need a streamer module, and you are okay with no native DSD and just the 3 USB/SPDIF/AES standard inputs. It is delta sigma but dual mono and Weiss is of good repute.

Another good choice would be Ferrum's Wandla, even cheaper and has a streamer module and lots more inputs, filters, and sample rates. Also does native DSD I believe. I own the Ferrum Hypsos LPS and it has been rock solid for 2 years now, Ferrum is a trusted European OEM so has a history of reliability.

@milpai

New or old tech, R2R or ∆Σ, the most important thing is, implementation. Since you already own a very nice tube preamp I would steer clear of tube DAC’s. Compile a list of DAC’s under your budget and see how many of those you can audition risk free in your home.

New Weiss DAC 204 is $2890.

I have older Total DAC but their new Untiy DAC's entry level is around $11K so it is far above your budget

when changing the DAC, I recommend focusing on R2R

I really like my Bryston DAC, and the HDMI inputs can be used your Oppo205 to play DSD from SACD, DVD-A, and Blu Ray

I think the way to go with my future DAC(s) is FPGA based. 

What improvements and sound characteristics are you looking for?

I am thinking up to $5k.

What is your budget?   That makes a difference.