I use an Apple TV to a dac, and that set up made me get rid of my modded Denon 5910 the sound was so good. I started with a Bel Canto Dac III, then tried a Benchmark, then a PS Audio (best of that bunch) finally I got an MHDT Havana and I love it. I upgraded the tube to a WE 396a, and I run it through a Cary Audio SLP98p F1, with Cary 500 MB to Maggie 3.6R's. I love it. I am set for a while on all of my gear. The Havana has been great. I wanted to try a TADAC first but I could never get a response from the guy who builds/sells them, I tried 4 times, so I guesse they couldn't be that great. Happy with the Havana though.
Tube DAC Advice Needed
These days I'm doing 90% of my listening through a computer-based system using a Squeezebox 3 directly into my SS integrated (a Plinius 8200 MkII). While the internal DAC in the SB isn't terrible, I'm sure everyone would agree it's nothing to write home about--the sound is somewhat closed in and lacks "midrange magic" to use a cliched term. So I'm shopping around for a DAC with a tube buffer in the $1000 range new or used.
After sifting through the posts and reviews, it seems as though at least three fit the bill--the TADAC, the Monarchy M24 and the Paradisea (or Havana). Unfortunately, all three of these are direct order and therefore I'm unable to demo them. So I'm appealing to fellow Agoner's who have heard one or more of these units for help. What would you say are the relative strengths and weaknesses of each, and which would you recommend? Many thanks!
After sifting through the posts and reviews, it seems as though at least three fit the bill--the TADAC, the Monarchy M24 and the Paradisea (or Havana). Unfortunately, all three of these are direct order and therefore I'm unable to demo them. So I'm appealing to fellow Agoner's who have heard one or more of these units for help. What would you say are the relative strengths and weaknesses of each, and which would you recommend? Many thanks!