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Ideas for my next DAC....?

Requirements:

1- USB and Ethernet capable
2- Plays all/most hi-res formats
3- Can serve as my pre-amp/volume control with no SQ degradation

Price range: 6-10k used or demo

Tbh I'm really just starting to collect ideas to compare to my current DAC, which I actually like quite a bit, but just - as always - wondering "what else is out there".

Since retiring my Audio Note DAC, I haven't had a chance to listen to anything other than the DSD, which makes me itchy.  I loved the AN -- actually it sounded incredible -- but it's technology lost pace with the rest of my system (limited hi-res capability, no network connectivity option far as I'm aware, and I hadn't done USB so would have to send it in).
joncourage
peter_s
1,314 posts
 
Get a Singxer SU-1 to feed USB to your audio note. 
joncourage OP
185 posts
 
Most likely will be getting the Antipodes CX streamer when it comes out.

What do you guys think about:

Auralic Vega
Lampizator (if I take out the Ethernet requirement, I think, which may not be a deal killer)
joncourage OP
185 posts
 
Fwiw, the Ethernet requirement is about being able to a/b USB vs Ethernet.  My theory is that as time goes by, changes in either protocol could make one preferable to the other.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@joncourage   Thinking ahead is smart! And not giving up on USB is also. Going the extra step to compare Ethernet and USB, is three in a row! 

As for the individual components...only you can go down that road. Your ears, preferences, system synergies, etc. etc.
joncourage OP
185 posts
 
Meh, I realized I can’t go back to my AN DAC since I also need the DAC to have volume control/be my pre-amp.

So now I'm looking at: Bricasti, dcs, Lampizator, Manhattan.  Maybe eventually the Ayre; I'm not sure why but I'm not as jazz'd about the Ayre for some reason, even though I've loved their amps for years (and have them now).

The Lampi sort of reminds me of my AN a bit, but they're fairly rare on the used market, then there's whether it was built with my feature needs of vol control, usb, balanced out.
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