Sweet Sounding DAC

I hope the take away here is auditioning a DAC is a wise move, there are so many to choose from in the OP’s bracket 

Some companies will be here five years from now, some won’t. No one knows and it’s a chance you have to take.  
 

I buy a new DAC every 5 years or so ….  I’m going to enjoy that LAB 12 for the remainder of it’s warranty and revisit whether I even need to replace it four years from now.   
 

Digital gets obsolete fast , so given that and factoring in my other components the LAB 12 fit my plans perfect.  I wanted a great sounding DAC with no frills. That also wasn’t out of line with the rest of my system.   

Too bad space is a concern.  I have had the LAB 12 for a year and still love it.  Like you mentioned it has great tone.  

When I bought the LAB 12 it was with the intent of trading up within a year.  My dealer does a trade up within one year to something that costs 2 X as much.   

The LAB 12 sounds so good I took that $3200 and bought a new Sota Escape TT and a phono pre and never looked back...   

It's the size of a CD player but it sounds like you are looking for something 1/2 size.    Weiss just came out with a new DAC.  204.     It's under $3k

https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2023/03/12/lab12-dac1-review/?amp

I really have grown to like this DAC more and more. I switch back and forth between my Aurender and my Turntable and sometimes it’s hard to say which I like better depending on the media.  

It is built like a tank , 5 year warranty.    Some limitations like no DSD and the Opt and Coax 2 are limited to 24/96.   I thought something was wrong with it at first … the new manual does note the 24/96 limit.  It’s important for me to note that as it may be a deal breaker and that is a good chunk of change. 
 

I had the opportunity to go in last week , plunk down $3200 and upgrade it and I don’t said nah….  It really does sound sweet.  May not be for everyone but I love it.  

In another thread there are two guys that just had their Lampi repaired.   For a tiny company  that is not confidence inspiring.   

As far as being "junk"  those DACs mentioned are in the price range of the OP and I doubt they are junk so to speak..  

I honestly think the LAB 12 is a great value...   the Bricasti is excellent  but I listened to them both and took the LAB 12 home.   It was not worth $2500 more to buy the Bricasti in my opinion.   It's built well , nothing junky about it. 

What are you using for a DAC Pennfootball71?

That's great, but the OP is looking to spend $3500  to $5k.....  I would expect anything  from Aries Cerat to sound great...  

I have both the LAB 12 and a RME adi2.   The LAB 12  is the better sounding DAC , hands down but it is 2.5 X the price so it should be.  

I still use the RME, it's in a bedroom system that I primarily use with headphones.  It's a great DAC,  feature wise nothing really compares.   It is the Swiss Army Knife of DACs .    Having had both side by side I can say this ,  the RME is good but the user interface leaves a lot to be desired.  It's clear right away that it's a piece of pro gear.  If you are over 45, better have your reading glasses on.    I use the remote for everything because the unit is so small.  It's tiny.   1RU tall and 1/2 RU wide.   

It is a little lean compared to the LAB 12.    It is clear and detailed but it lacks the body / weight of the LAB 12.   The LAB 12 has more meat on the bone and big expansive Soundstage.   Don't get me wrong, it is an excellent DAC for $1300

The LAB12 has no features to speak of.... none.   Input & power switch and sample, rate LED.   That's it.    As far as the noise when switching sample rates I think a lot has to do with the source.    Aurender can apply a few seconds of delay between tracks and doesn't do it.   Vault 2i does sometimes.     It sounds so good I can forgive that.   

The DAC 1 has the sound you like , but the RME has the form factor....   I'm with Bob on the shelf.  A turntable shelf would be perfect .  

The Music Room sometimes has open box demos and trade ins of the DAC 1if you want to save a few bucks