I don’t know what pricing is like in the ‘States, but you might have a look at the range by Cocktail Audio ( www.cocktailaudio.com). They have a good range with a big downloadable table of product features for each product. I have the X45Pro and think it is a great sounding streamer/dac/ripper etc. These products from Novatron in Sth Korea aren’t well known it seems but after 12 mths of good use I think it’s fantastic. |
+1 on the
Black Ice FX tube dac. I was involved in the DAC shoot-out in AZ and I was blown away by how good this DAC sounded, especially at the price.
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I have following DACs at moment between work and two home systems:
benchmark 2
chord mojo
chord 2qute
border patrol
The Border Patrol and Benchmark exist on opposite ends of the “precise you can see into everything” - to - “non fatiguing and organic” spectrum, but I appreciate both. The 2qute strikes a great balance, and hence is in main system, but I’d never call it fatiguing.
Given how cheap the mojo is (I’d call it the best deal in this entire hobby), could start there and save some coin, and if you like the sound but want even better: Qutest or used 2qute. If you want even more “organic” you can then try something else suggested previously in thread (or Border Patrol, which is highly recommend and is my go to in my 2nd system). You won’t lose very much money reselling the mojo, that I’m sure of. |
Chord Qutest incredible value; according to the designer Rob Watts, they selected the best power supply for the overall low noise design; stick with the stock supply and you can’t go wrong.
Immensely musical for the price of admission.
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I purchased the Schiit Gungnir MB about six months ago. I've been very impressed so far.
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Audio-gd R8 DAC with FPGA programable.
Very neutral with plenty of detail and big soundstage. |
Yea, Chord Qutest new slightly over your budget... Good luck finding a used one... Not analytical... Clean, crisp, concise, musical... |
Used chord Qutest.
add a LPS
boom |
@phill55 -- Can you say more? I almost got the Tubadour and went for the Orchid. I'm curious about what differences you heard and what equipment you used. The grass is always greener... |
+1 on Tubadour. Have had it 1 year. Did shoot out with MHTD Orchid and there is just more musicaliycoming out of Tubadour III |
+1 on the Black Ice (Jolida) Tube Dac. Very musical. |
Schitt Yggdrasil GS. 1600.00 new.
Insanely good music maker.
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I too am curious about the Tubadour. For those reading this thread in the future, you may also consider the Holo Audio Spring Dac which is a R2R Dac that offers a very musical presentation. I have been using one for a couple of years now and am very pleased with it.
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Definitely the Tubadour lll
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A nice thing about the Tubadour is you can buy it in stock form now to fit your budget and make a significant upgrade to SE status in the future if desired. Nice to have the option. You can read the review by @teajay in Stereo Times that compares the Tubadour SE to the Orchid. Best of luck.
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All the above plus Border Patrol. |
I've had an Orchid for several months and after replacing the 1541A chip with a Philips/Taiwan(non S1 or S2- too expensive), replacing the 2.0 uF caps with 1.0uF Mundorfs, and tube rolling(finally settled on a RCA 5670), am pleased to say that sound quality is excellent....listening through Harbeth 40.1's. Transport is an Audiolab 6000.
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I have the Orchid in my computer system and have been very happy with it. I listen mainly through Harbeth P3ESR with a PSA S1500 sub driven by a Vincent SV 237 integrated. I also have a Simaudio 430
HA
headphone amp and an assortment of headphones that I listen to occasionally. In terms of detail, this system rivals my main system and in some ways sounds better. |
FWIW, I compiled a short list by reading and researching. I don’t have personal experience with these products but I want to contribute what I learned. I wanted R2R and/or tube.
I was very, very close to getting the Audio Mirror Tubadour and the maker wrote write back when I had a question. Some really good experienced people on this forum love the Audio Mirror.
I also read very good stuff about the Denafrips Ares -- backordered by a long time, last I saw.
I got the MHDT Orchid DAC. Why the Orchid? After a lot of research, I learned two things -- the Orchid is the most raved about of all their products. It’s the chip inside -- apparently only the Orchid has the Philips TDA1541 chip. This was a chip which people realized was older and had a more analog type sound. So, people were buying old CD players up like crazy, and the maker of the MHDT DAC, Jiun, bought a bunch of these chips to have a supply for the Orchid. Do I really know if the chip is key? No -- I really don’t. But I have been loving this DAC for about a month and the company is really easy to deal with, despite being in Taiwan. Buy via Ebay or through Linear Tube Audio. Those guys are great.
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+2 for the Audio Mirror Tubadour III DAC. You don’t need the SE version to get terrific music out of it!
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I have the Musical Paradise MP D2 mk iii with an AKM 4997 and was previously using a Denafrips Pontus.
I was considering the Audio Mirror Tubadour but for a budget I don’t want to overspend too much on a DAC.
I prefer the Musical Paradise, out of the box all stock it is nice compared to the Denafrips. The MP doesn’t color the sound. I also like how layered the texture of the details is and is very clear. It is smooth and added the warmth of the tubes. It is all stock tubes at the moment with Obligato Caps and the fun part is tou can always upgrade the tubes and caps. |
Audio Mirror Tubadour is another one to check out
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Audio Mirror Tubadour III, excellent DAC!
It uses the same chip as the high end Audio Note DACs. I have the SE version and it compares to my $20k tt setup :-) Do a search on audiogon, lots of info and comparisons to high end products. |
Check out the Black Ice FX tube dac. Won a blind dac shootout from the Arizona audio society. Love mine and the 2 12AX7 tube can be changed easily to dial in the sound. |
