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Upgrading to a stand alone DAC

I have the upgrade bug..lol.  I am considering purchasing a stand alone DAC as 60% of my listening is thru my CD player (NAD C568).  This was purchased new 3 years ago for $799.00.  My budget would be $1500.  Rest of system is the Marantz Ruby KI integrated amp and the Reference 3A de capo speakers.  Would I hear a significant difference at this price point?

wentz

Showing 2 responses by pindac

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

I have been investigating SS DAC's for quite a period of time and until yesterday had not discovered one used on systems that I am familiar with that has caught my attention like the way a Denafrips Venus II had yesterday at a Bake Off between DAC's and CDP's.

SS DAC's and Valve CDP's were used as comparisons.

I am / have been familiarised over time with all models in use, and these were attached to a New Design 3 Watt Output Tetrode Pre Amp - Tetrode -Pentode Power Amp, with a Speaker unfamiliar to me, with reasonable High Efficiency.

The Venus II has had FW Updates.

In the past the Venus with out a FW update was OK but a big ?mark being present over how long it could be lived with used for extended length replays beyond comparison periods of time allocated.

Yesterday in this system and a follow up Amp in use, a PP 300b, the Venus II proved itself to be a very attractive SS DAC, especially one I would consider experiencing for much longer periods of time in the home system.

The Denafrips Venus II was used  in comparison to other Digital Sources costing up to £6K 

In relation to the Thread, I have seen if being prudent, the Venus II can be found for sale in the US for approx' $2K as a used sale item. This is well worth attempting to recreate as a sale, even with the stretch to the Budget that is allocated. 

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

@audioman58 I am active as member of a Audio Group myself and as a result have been better served in the areas of experiencing new to myself Audio Equipment, than I had been in the period was using the commercial world to make such introductions to Audio Equipment.

I am thoroughly satisfied with the experiences had to date.

A very recent experience reintroduced me to the FW update added to the Venus II. The outcome left me with the impression it is very worthy as a recommendation as a SS DAC. It was even a perfect SS Comparison DAC to Valve based CDP's used for Demo's, of which one was the EAR Acute and another a Audio Note CDT.

I would like to be demo'd the Pontus 15 referred to yes 

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