Seeking Advice on NOS DAC


Looking to purchase an NOS DAC, budget is $1500.
Currently available for sale are:

- Metrum Acoustics Hex digital converter  (used)
- Metrum Acoustics Amethyst DAC       (new)
- Acoustic Plan Digimaster Tube DAC     (used)
This is a German-built NOS, 24-bit R-2R resistor ladder network, PCM1704U-K converter with 4 tube EC 86 triode outputs.
- HOLO Audio Spring DAC – LEVEL 2    (new, but over my budget of $1500)

My primary listening is via the PS Audio PWT, while music files on my Mac are steadily increasing. I’m thinking NOS due to my large collection of Redbook CD's.

So, any experience or comments on which way to proceed is appreciated.

128x128lowrider57

Showing 3 responses by chayro

You should check out the new tube dac on the Doge site.  It's probably not NOS, but if it's related to the Doge6 CD player topology, I'm sure it sounds warm and grainless, which is what people who are looking for NOS dacs are usually trying to achieve.  BTW, IMO, looking for a dac based on circuit topology is not the best way to go about it.  Buy for sound, not design or specs.  But that's my opinion and, from what I'm reading around here lately, I stand with a very small minority.  Good luck. 
AN makes great stuff, but I think you're falling into the trap of believing the chip makes the sound.  I think it contributes to it, but I remember Lampizator taking apart some MHZS cd players that used the cheapest dac chip in existence and even he admitted that the player sounded very, very good.  I think part of AN's philosophy is to filter and alter the signal as little as possible, but I think there's more to it than just that.  Anyway, good luck.