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Which DAC for $5K or less?

I have been reading about the Benchmark Dac1 Pre (Equation "solved"?!), Berkeley Alpha Dac (rave review by same mag.), Audio Research Dac7 (no reviews that I know of but I respect company), Weiss Dac, et al. I am trying to make sense of all this. I like the idea of getting an external dac rather than a higher end CD/DVD player for various reasons--both cost and flexibility. I know the Benchmark is by far the cheapest and can be auditioned in home easily for 30 days, which is great. I might be able to arrange a loaner in a month or so of an ARC unit, tho no guarantees. The ARC is a good bit less than the Berkeley Alpha Dac and the Weiss, but I have no clue how it stacks up. Anyone have some insight as to what the current state of the art is without blowing the budget completely on dcs current gear?

Thanks!
luvwine

Showing 1 response by tweak1

tweak1
3,685 posts
 
The problem with most dacs is the connection between transport and dac. Berkley offers several alternatives to the pathetic SPDIF and AES/EBU. Unless your transport outputs a high res, separates are waste.

Check out the Raysonic 168 or 228. I just upgraded my 168 to the 228. If you can afford $4200 grab one now. If not, my 168 is for sale.

Both have outstanding variable tube outputs and both are balanced designs
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