@facten I’ll do a list below Of under 4K and over 4K and then maybe that’ll help you.
Under 4K
Blue node, caimbridge, ockto 8, Lumin, SMSL 10,mcintosh D1 & D2, Sabaj, Space tech lab, Mytek, benchmark, I know I’m missing a few I can’t remember them
Over 4K
Bricasti, Meitner, Berkeley, DCS Bartók , i’m forgetting at least one more.
So I think I said in my post that I had had 20 different DACs. I’ve only listed 16 here but I know I’m forgetting a couple so I’m pretty close to 20 different units. The best units that punched above their way was the Space Tech Lab TMS-1000. I still have this unit and have ordered a new unit that will be here in a month or so. The unit I have is the beginner unit which retail for about $3200 and I’ve stepped it up to a newer unit that’s approximately $4800 With eight times over sampling. We’ll see how that goes if it’s as good as the TMS 1000 I’ll be amazed.
The other unit that was my favorite out of the above 4K was the Berkeley Alpha two without MQA. It was the most musical out of any of the units over 4K. All the other units were amazingly crisp and tight. They were so clean I almost had a hard time listening to them.
So that is my very expensive journey. I hope some of you guys out there are able to learn a little bit at my expense. If you have any questions let me know. I will say that the best DAC for the money is definitely the Space Tech Labs. Everyone should look into their stuff. Let me first say that the website needs a lot of work. It’s just the opposite of all of the other DAC manufacturers. It is at least 20 years old and looks like it. They must spend all of their time building amazing DACs instead of being worried about the website. Most manufacturers have a modern very splash website but their DACs are average. Space tech is the opposite. I had to take the back off of my unit to replace a card for an update and I was amazed at how it was built. It’s all hand assembled point to point wiring. Al, the owner explained to me that wherever they can they try not to use any printed circuit boards. They do everything they can with tubes. I’m not sure what that last sentence means because I’m not an electronics with but The DACs that they make are the most musical, analog sounding that I’ve ever heard. When you call them up to order one Al answers the phone and basically helps you figure out what you would like to achieve. Al is a Japanese American and at times I had a hard time understanding him but eventually you get it all worked out. This is starting to sound like an ad but it’s not. Out of all of those DACs at the beginning of my posts space tech labs is by far the winner out of the ones below 4K and the ones above 4K. If you’re in the market give them a try. If you don’t like the unit which I doubt will be the case you can send it back within 30 days and I think there’s a 10% restock fee. But if you hate it at least you’re not stuck with it I seriously doubt you will hate it. OK guys I hope this helps, give a call!
