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Sub $1000 DAC with AKM chip

Hi 

I don’t wish to start a heated debate but I’m looking for a DAC for my daughters system. Does anyone have a recommendation for an under $1000 DAC that uses an AKM chip? I have a Topping D90 with AKM that I like. It’s not my endgame DAC but it is substantially better than many I have tried before. I know that many like ESS, Burr Brown, Wolfson etc, but I would prefer to just hear opinions about AKM and I’d also like to stay away from a discussion about streamers (I’m also considering a Bluesound Node)…Hell, I might even get her an Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt since she is so iPhone-centric. She recently voiced her dissatisfaction with low fidelity and wants to hear music from better equipment so I’m giving her one of my integrated tube amps and a set of speakers. I don’t want to go nuts on this since she may ultimately find that hifi is not really as appealing as she imagined.

thanks all for your replies 

ccogopher

Showing 6 responses by ccogopher

ccogopher OP
26 posts
 

All solid advice. Especially interested in the Geshelli as it’s always nice to see a US company making this type of gear at a great price point, and for a beginner’s budget to boot 

thanks for all your input!

ccogopher OP
26 posts
 

She has a pretty wide range of tastes with music. Pretty much easier to say what she’s not into.. (country/western and classical)

ccogopher OP
26 posts
 

Wow, I’ve got the AKM Topping paired with a Marantz Model 8. I wonder if I’d get something better out of a DAC with an ESS chip for my own setup…

ccogopher OP
26 posts
 

First off, thank you everyone for your input -it certainly has given me some insight. I’m going to have to broaden some of my expectations about DAC’s, especially after the comment from freediver about pairing a tube amp with an AKM based DAC and getting “the old Conrad Johnson syrup bottle”. I had been running various SS separates for years and moved to tubes on a whim and became a convert, but that comment is spot on especially since the integrated tube amp I’m giving her is warm and “syrupy” enough  -I don’t want to add to it. I’m getting from some of the debate around DA conversion chips that AKM tend to add to that “syrup” quality or warmth so I’ll definitely consider some of the ESS alternatives. I can trial them with my own system and give her my currently used Topping AKM…;)

ccogopher OP
26 posts
 

Sorry was away for a few days.. than you everyone who took part in this discussion 

ccogopher OP
26 posts
 

 I think you might be right.

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