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Rank the top reference DACs you've heard

Usually the battle goes between DCS Vivaldi set and MSB Select II.

However, since Swiss/Japanese (boutique level) DACs are usually out of reach, we rarely read about ultra high end DACs and where they fit with the rest of the league ($5000-$100,000) price range. 

There are other topologies and SOTA designs floating around, what comes to mind:
- new DCS (above Vivaldi) flagship to be announced
- Wadax Atlantis Reference
- Esoteric Grandioso D1X (Dual Mono)
- TotalDAC Twelve Mk2
- Lampizator Golden Gate 2
- Chord Dave+mscaler
- CH Precision C1+X1 (Dual Mono) 
- Soulution 760
- Aries Cerat Kassandra Ref
- Aqua La Scala mkII Optologic
- EMM Labs DV2/DA2

I mentioned flagship DACs only since the list will be bigger and we will lose focus of the subject. It is interesting to know some of us "lurkers" or who has reached audio nirvana with his choice of DAC and what did he it compare with. The more input we get, the clearer the big picture will be. 

Let's go!
128x128emerald
jamegla's avatar
jamegla
6 posts
 

My current ambition, which may be unrealistic given my room is not optimal even with acoustic treatment, is keeping the detail and tone I currently have but improving soundstage depth and imaging. The dealer room really opened my eyes as to how good these aspects can be.

I have spent a ton of time dialing in speaker position. I have demoed more speakers than I care to admit but the perlisten s7t are my locked endgame there. No other speaker has come close to my ears.  I would love any dac advice as far as improvement in those areas. But if was giving myself advice it would be hit the lottery and create a better room to house my chain.

phantom_av's avatar
phantom_av
326 posts
 

After thoroughly comparing the Playback Design Dream and Kassandra DACs, I would rank the Kassandra as my top choice, with the Playback Design following closely behind. While both are exceptional DACs, the Kassandra stands out for its superior midrange fluidity and tonality, bringing voices and instruments to life in a way that is truly captivating.

genesis168's avatar
genesis168
409 posts
 

+1 the EMM DA2v2 is definitely one. I’m an analog guy and this dac along with the MSB Select 2 makes me forget it’s digital. If you’re on a budget, the Meitner MA3 is also a very strong contender. 

yyzsantabarbara
4,810 posts
 

@jamegla I have some of the gear you are talking about. The Serene and HPA4 are sonically very similar, contrary to some posts online saying that the Serene kills the HPA4. Love both of these preamps (I have the LA4). The LA4/HPA4 has much more useful features. Great thing about these 2 preamps is that they will really let you hear the upstream components (such as a DAC) without editorializing the sound.

When I get a Playback Designs Dream DAC I will use 1 of these 2 preamps. I already have a PDB Plink based streamer.

BTW - Since you mentioned headphones, this Friday I am going to hear what some are saying maybe the world’s best headphone. The new RAAL 1995 Immanis (will also hear the Magna). I have the older RAAL models, which compete with the Focal Utopia and Susvara you mentioned. The new RAAL 1995 phones are said to be much better than what I have.

Today, I received a new headphone cable for the Serene preamp. Unfortunately, the old RAAL phones need more power than the Serene can deliver. The Immanis may work with the Serene and this new cable I got.

A great DAC is really important for headphones.

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