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Shouldn't done that...

I have a home office that has a head phone rig. I had been using a DAC Magic fed by a dedicated Windows 7 laptop running JRiver MC17 via USB to a Stello U2 via SDIF then into the DAC Magic.

Well, I just "had to" try my Stello DA100 Signature from my big rig in my basemenet listening area in place of the DAC Magic - feeding the DA100 with the I2S out of the U2 - not the SPDIF.

WOW! Without going into all the gory details, this move resulted in a substantial difference. Geez.

So, I am selling my DAC Magic set-up (see classified here on A'Gon) and keeping the DA100 Signature in my office. I need a DAC for the big rig.

I can come up with no more than $1,500 - I am seriously considering a W4S DAC-2. The opinions are positive, the price at MSRP fits the budget and Rick Cullen has been doing great things for a while.

Thoughts? Other new or used DACs that should be on my short list?
flyfish2002

Showing 1 response by loftarasa

loftarasa
171 posts
 
I've heard the Stello DA200, on which the DA100 Sig is based, and really liked it. I doubt there's be anything to "blow it away" sub $1,000.

That being said, $1,500 is a bit of a dead zone for coax based DACs. The value curve seems to peak just below (up to $1,000), and the next step up comes nearer to $2,000.

Anyways, here's some ideas for auditions/research:
Bel Canto DAC1.5 - voiced similar to Stello
Anedio D2 - Sabre based; more contemporary sounding
M2Tech Young - as the Anedio
NAD M51 - outside your budget, but have seen people compare it to the Berkeley Alpha, suggesting it would be a step up from the $1,500 bracket offerings
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