Which DAC? SFD-1 MKII/Bel Canto DAC1/MF A3.24


Hello all,

I am looking @ the following DAC options since they are all around the same price. I dont want to spend alot on a DAC. I am would like some opinions on which I should go for.

1. Sonic Frontiers SFD-1 MKII $650
2. Bel Canto DAC1
3. Musical Fidelity A3.24

I am leaning towards the SFD because I am a big Sonic Frontiers fan. What do you guys think?

Totem Rainmakers
Class CA-100
Sonic Frontiers SFl-1
kowrath
Have to agree that the Bel Canto DAC 1.1 that I had was decent, but really not that interesting. There are a lot of nice options in yoru price range.
Clio knows his stuff on DACs.
Where can I find an Audio Mirror D1? I have been interested in the new filterless DAC's that have been coming out but I have always been lured back to SF products.

I was cosidering a Ack Dak for a while, but I realised that I probably hate the inconvinience of constantly having to recharge the thing.

Some more information of the D1 would be nice. Please let me know.

Regards,
Evan.
Evan,

www.audiomirror.com

Vlad is out of stock right now which is why his ad on Audiogon is not running. He is gearing up the next production run. His website is light on marketing, but the description of the D1 and the benefit of filterless and non-upsampling is dead on. Also, go to the Audio Note and Sakura Systems websites (just look up these companies on Audiogon in the Manufacturers Directory) and read their tech papers on non-upsampling filterless designs (I did this as part of my research). There is a lot of good information here. Also, the D1 runs 8 Burr Browns in parallel and uses teflon caps. It is worth a try (ask Vlad for a 30 day trial). Also, if you don't like it you can sell it on Audiogon in no time flat. I have seen two for sale here get snatched up the same day the ad was posted (I bought one of them).

NOTE: the price listed on the website is $999. If you want to reserve one just email Vlad and let him know you want the Audiogon price of $499.

What are you using for a transport? Have I got a mod for you that works great with the D1. Feel free to email me if you like as I don't want to go to astray of the thread.
Well I sent an email to contact@audiomirror.com, I guess I will have to see what they say. I asked about the Audiogon $499 price too.

As for a transport I am using a modified Rotel 965BX. It has a trichord clock2 upgrade so it seems to be working alright as a transport when hooked up to my Sonic Frontiers TransDAC. It is an older DAC but the more I use it the more I like it.

Anyways, back on topic: I have read the Audio Note and Sakura Systems websites information on filterless DAC's and the argument does make sense. Unfortunatly Audio note stuff is way out of my budget. I was actually considering the Shugariki for a while, but eventually I dismissed it after reading a few reviews. Generally speaking most reviews find it good, but not great. The 'keep it simple' design philisophy behind it is quite convincing, and from what I can tell is well implemented in the unit. But $1250USD is also out of my price range. Stereophile said it best, I forget the reviewers name but he said he enjoyed it as a "thing" but not as much as a DAC. More a work of art to behold than a performance to listen to I guess.

Anyone have any other suggestions for DAC's around the $400-650 USD range? I am keen to hear (haw haw) :)

TTYL Evan.