I added the Sean Jacobs DC4/ARC6 external LPS to my DAVE stream (M SCALER/OPTO DX Galvanic isolator). The LPS transformed what I thought was already a great DAC to something extraordinary. My previous DAC was an OPPO SONICA tube modded by Modwright. Not to be compared with even an un-modded DAVE.
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Owned: Technics SU-R1 streaming dac and my TAD sacd player, which can also be used as a standalone dac. Heard: Aavik SD-880 streaming dac ....I am convinced that this is the best sounding dac on earth! If there is no trickledown unit in a couple of years, it would suck because this unit costs 70k at the moment (could cause divorce).
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Follow up. I purchased a Bricasti M21 (with its optional internal media renderer), and it is now resident in my audio system. Initially, I found that while the playback was more clear, the soundstage wider and deeper, imaging was more precise, an overriding brightness spoiled everything else. Fortunately, this brightness issue was resolved by changing my Ethernet cable between my switch and the M21 to a Shunyata Sigma V2 and my interconnect cable fro the M21 to my preamp to a DH Labs Air Matrix Cryo. I can now say that listening to digitally sourced music on my syste is marvelous. |
After many years of reliable service, my AMR CD-77 CDP, with its anachronistic TDA 1541A DAC, finally stopped outputting sound. Not sure what the issue is, but repairs for it would be impractical. Thus, I decided to pick up another old-school DAC, a Levinson 360S with its 1704K DAC chip. I love the spaciousness, airy sound of these DACs from the early 2000s, and don't see myself ever getting any new upsampling or DSD DACs. |
My analog chain is top level but the digital is mid level only. In my system, the best sounding DAC so far is the Teac NT-505. No surprise: it sounds better than my little Topping e30ii dac (at almost 10x the price). What IS a surprise, is that both DACs sound much better playing pure DSD with the volume disabled, compared to PCM with volume enabled. |
My Weiss Helios is the best that I've heard. Unrivaled detail retrieval but not artificial sounding. It's completely musical and a soundstage that is deeper and laser etched. I know it's good because I hear new things on familiar recording and I don't want to turn my system off even when it's way past bed time. |
Both MSB and DCS frequently introduce new models at such a rapid pace that it leads to a depreciation of their second-hand markets. This constant influx of new releases creates a perpetual cycle where buyers feel compelled to constantly upgrade, never quite reaching satisfaction. However, the allure of owning prestigious equipment remains a significant driving force behind their purchases. DCS, known for being ahead of its time in the past, leaned heavily towards analytical precision at the expense of musicality. This single-minded focus on transparency inadvertently led to a loss of emotional depth in the sound, resulting in a somewhat hollow and overly sharp listening experience. In an attempt to retain customers who were seeking more musicality, DCS launched the APEX upgrade. Presently, they are developing a new DAC to compete with MSB's upcoming Cascade and their higher-priced DAC offerings. Despite their impressive technological advancements, both companies struggle to maintain long-term user satisfaction beyond the initial excitement of ownership. |
The timbre, impulse and transient information coming out of my Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty ($15,000) with L5xe is fantastic. Horns, voices or anything else in the midrange sounds rich, relaxed and has information around the notes normally missed in dacs such as the Bartok Apex ($20,950) which I sold. The bass with QX-5 is incredible as it has texture, extension and detail galore without sounding bubbly, bloated, unnatural or lacking. The QX-5 has made me a better listener because now I know what I was missing. Compared to the competition, the QX-5 should cost 2-3x as much. Happy listening! |
I have not heard expensive dacs in my system but my modded PS Audio DSD sounds good for a $3500 dac. I experienced my dac improvement with added mods and now fully upgraded with APS nickel transformers, VOCM mod and analog power supply board powered by a Keces P3 with a Neotech 20ga silver dc cable connecting Keces power supply to power supply board in dac is the best sounding dac in my system so far. All that said I have not tried a lot of different dacs in my system. |
After auditioning and comparing my incredible Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty Streaming DAC to several other more expensive reference DACs (and some less expensive), I opted for the Ayre, and I have been extremely happy with it every since. I felt that any variations in sound quality between the Ayre DAC compared to, and, in some cases, those DACs costing significantly more, just didn’t justify the increase in price. After 3 years with the Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty Streaming DAC, I’m still in love. Happy listening. |
There are so many very good to great DACs these days! I went to AXPONA earlier this month just to listen to as many DACs as I could (and there were quite a few). I ended up purchasing a Bricasti M21. Why, you may ask. I have perhaps an unusual explanation. As time has passed, more and more I cannot recall the specifics of each presentation I attended, even if they were quite marvelous -- except for one, which was the Bricasti M21. It was exceptional when I heard it, and I can still clearly remember some of the tracks played and my reactions when hearing them. I have to mention, however, that the rest of the Bricasti room's demo system was also terrific, so, to a certain extent this purchase is a leap of faith on my part because I have been unable to hear it on my own system. |
DCS: Known for extreme transparency but lacks natural and musical qualities, resulting in a flat and boring sound. Playback Dacs Offers exceptional value for both money and performance, stepping above the DCS's signature sound. Preferred over MSB for its impressive performance as a solid state DAC. Lampizator: Provides a nice, colored sound appreciated by some but not favored by all. Aries Cerat achieves a favorable balance between PD and Lampizator, presenting a well-rounded sound that is both pleasant and user-friendly. It stands out as my personal favorite, effortlessly handling complex music with finesse and agility. |
I’ve heard three DACs considered to be superior: the T+A SDV 3100 HV, the Ideon Absolute and the Linn Klimax DSM/3. However, only one of those I heard in my system - the T+A unit. They were all liquid and smooth, but none convinced me (as of yet) to purchase though i now recognize that i was feeding the T+A less optimally. That particular unit (like the one I have - the T+A DAC 200) is much better on native DSD than PCM. I use a processor to convert everything to DSD 512 in front of the DAC200. It has me wondering about auditioning the SD 3100 again sourced this way. In any case, the Linn and Ideon DACs were clearly very good, but I heard them in million dollar systems (literally - Wilson Chronosonics and Burmester reference gear for the Linn and MBL Extremes and reference MBL electronics for the Ideon) in huge, well set up rooms. So, while great, what else was I hearing? I came away thinking my system at home is actually pretty good in my limited space. Were the other systems better? Sure, but that much better considering the spend? I don’t have the discretionary income to answer that without bias. What I expect from a DAC: smoothness, resolution, authentic tonality on piano and voice - the two hardest instruments to get right in my view. The best DACs I’ve heard were just a little bit better than the one I own - I think, but haven’t compared directly. But as has been mentioned elsewhere, you can get pretty great performance if you optimize all elements of your digital system: network, cables, and source. I’ve done so and the performance I’m getting out of my DAC is really close to the best I’ve heard. |
@mikelavigne my method 4 dac replaced my soulutions 540 cd/dac player. I haven’t looked back since. It’s open airy and spacious without sounding thin and retains musicality. Has a great soundstage. It allows me to have detail but not in a clinical way. Thanks for the compliment. |
today a friend asked me for a dac recommendation below the Wadax and below the MSB Select II, and i did mention that i’ve really enjoyed the Infigo digital at the Seattle Show last June, and also at Axpona 24’ too. i cited that Axpona room as better than good in my Axpona report. it’s a below the radar dac that deserves some serious attention. a balanced involving sound that is less digital sounding than most. |
@mikelavigne im actually feeding mines for a stripped down mini cpu that took all non audio functions out streaming from audiarvana. Just want the server to get out of the way. I use our Infigo power cords that just get out of the way and let the music flow. I tried top of line Melco. Tried a couple other things. This sounds best. |
to properly judge a dac, you need to also consider the server feeding it. and the quality of the A/C power grid, and even the power supplies of the dac and the server. it all matters when you are chasing ultimate performance. the best dac i have heard is my Wadax Reference dac. that includes the Wadax Reference server. 30 months ago they arrived and i compared it directly in my system to my 4 year reference, the MSB Select II + the Taiko Extreme server. here. https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/wadax-reference-dac-and-server-arrive.34173/ 2 months ago i added the Wadax Reference server power supply which boosted the performance further. and a month ago i auditioned 3 Wadax Akasa DC power supply cables (1 between the server and separate power supply, and 2 between the two dac power supplies and the dac) which took things to another level beyond. very spendy. i very reluctantly returned the demo Akasa cables to my dealer, and i ordered the cables two weeks ago and should recieve them mid May. Wadax calls adding these cables "Level 4". here is an interview with Javier from Wadax about ’Level 4’ and other Wadax details. comments on the Akasa DC cables and "Level 4" starts at 11:39 time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Q0Z1aamWaQE the performance of the Wadax is remarkable, and the only thing i can compare it to is my vinyl and tape performance which is at a high level.....not any other dac or server. i do listen to 70% digital and look forward to "Level 3 Wadax.......soon to be level 4" every day. |
@mesch I did this so that many people would read it and depending on what price point you can afford they would all get suggestions. My system is pretty much on the higher end. So I typically go towards certain ones because of where my system is at but I will soon do a smaller back up system. So lower price points will be in that one but I still want good performance. |
@calvinj I finally gotten around to this thread. I have enjoyed the many post that have focused on your original question, which to me did not seem structured to a price point. The best DAC that i have heard is the one I currently have in my system, an Audio Mirror Tubadour III. It provides a smooth, detailed, harmonically rich presentation at a price point commensurate to my system.
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Denafrips Terminator II. Upgraded from their Venus II. Also using Iris DDC for USB. I know it is good since it resolves details I haven't been able to distinguish before. Particularly in low regions. I can clear hear bass player taking several different notes in fast succession rather than just one pick or several smeared one over another. |
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@metaldetektor I was in the room with them. 11-6 and 11-4 Sunday. Sounded great. A sterophile guy came in and loved it. I was the bald head guy. However I stepped out a couple of times |
The most satisfying and lifelike DAC that I’ve heard is the Chord Dave with a Chord Hugo M Scaler using Nick Bacon’s WAVE High Fidelity Storm BNC cables as interconnects. At present I have a Chord TT2 DAC and M Scaler which I’m very happy with. Having retired after spending over forty years in the rat race I no longer have any interest in evaluating audio gear. I would rather spend my time listening to and exploring new music that I haven’t heard before and revisiting my favorite recordings from the past. |
Currently using the Benchmark DAC3HGC and the AHB2 amp driving some ATC monitors. There were clear steps up in performance from the Parasound ZDAC, to the Project Pre-Box S2, to the Benchmark. I really think Benchmark is on to something by using higher line levels, the SN ratio is astounding. Depth of field, transient response, bass detail, just everything with the Benchmark is better. |
@vernv +1 Playback Designs MPD – 8 |
@kairosman i can see your point. I think I got used to hearing really good high end gear. So for some a 35k dac is a no go. But I have a 90k system. I have spent years building it up to this point. If you are musically happy it’s worth it. |
This comment isn’t directed at anyone in particular, but the goal of obtaining giant killer aka "unicorn" gear (DACs especially) has been IME a fool’s errand that’s cost me money and time better spent on just buying the very best gear I can afford and which makes sense in the context of my system’s $ level. I do believe that one doesn’t need to spend a ton to put together a good-sounding system, but for example a $20K DAC is underwhelming in a $20K system, whereas it can be a jaw dropper replacing a $7K DAC in a $70K system. A $500 negligee is money well spent if your lady is Sophie Vergara. |
+101 @kairosman The whole is equal to the sum of its parts. |
Hello, I'm new to digital. I've been listening to Lps & FM stations for the last 50 years. I recently purchased an Onkyo RZ-50 for my 5.1.2 system. The RZ-50 allows me to stream via bluetooth. I just joined TIDAL & use the phone app to control my music. I first connected the Onkyo to my analog system via RCA's 2nd zone, which was less than stellar, but tweaking a little here & there, I got it to sound pretty good. Then I decided to switch the connections to my OPPO 203 back to my tube preamp & the SQ of the OPPO took me closer to the real thing that as missing from the Onkyo. I can only imagine how a real DAC would sound with my setup. I can now listen to albums before I decide to purchase them. |
@kairosman. I don’t know. But I’m going to hear his system. I have cousin that is getting married in July so I will be there. I love to hear folks systems. It gives me a different perspective. Although I work for Infigo. I respect well made gear regardless of brand. I like to hear as much different gear as possible and love meeting up with audiophiles just to talk music and gear. |
@calvinj i know of Ron, what does he do for a living btw? Just curious lol, great DAC collection, I follow a Lampizator thread he started on that forum. |
