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New to audio. Is there a good DAC that can produce layers of sound?

One of the Youtube audio reviews I watch as a beginner in audio system is Darko

He says during the Chord Qutest review that this DAC can produce layers of sound which is great

I kinda understand what he says because from my very first audio setup, which I returned due to awful sound of music this week, I could still feel some layers, maybe 2, from Post Malone’s song Deja Vu. Only, there were 2 clear layer, from 16bit 44.1 kHz signals from Sonos Amp, one very far back near the speaker and one right next to my ear. I thought it was amazing though. The speaker was SVS ultra bookshelf.

Now those are all returned to the seller, and I am looking for something more clear, musical, and awesome. So, the Qutest is one of the DACs I want to try.

But, if there is any DAC you, as a more experience audiophiles, would like to recommend to me for having great sound effect, could you please list some names? with brief description of the sound?

The price range I am looking for is about $1.5K or less. I prefer less. Used items included.

I am on a journey to setup an enjoyable sound system for myself and would like to see what others like.

Thanks!

K
yggy1
treynolds155
180 posts
 
I'm looking to go with an integrated now too, just for the simplicity...less wires and all. I've always been intrigued by Hegel and noticed the Rost on sale too...lol. I've also been looking at Simaudio, their ACE has a dac and streamer built in. So many great options out there now for reasonable $$. 

Louis at Omega speakers is currently building me a custom set of CAMs which opens up my options to low powered components due to their high sensitivity/efficiency.  Oh what fun it is... :)
big_greg
6,561 posts
 
If you've decided to go for an integrated, consider the Peachtree Nova 300.  You can get a new one for $2k or a used one for under your budget.  The DAC is quite good.  I have one in my office system and am very happy with it.  It will sing with the right speakers, but is not a good match with "warm" speakers, IMO.  I'm currently using it with Focal Electra 1008 BE speakers.
istvan1976's avatar
istvan1976
10 posts
 
I would like to suggest to see around here;

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/master-index-of-measurement-comparison-ch...

better SINAD means better DAC in most cases.

My opinion is the Matrix X-Sabre pro (non MQA) is a great DAC and preamplifier at the top of the list. 1200$ a used one.

Better than Chord Qutest, I had both. With a good (low THD %) power amplifier you will hear layers and depth of the soundstage. I use Purifi 1ET400A eval board (0.0002% THD+N) and this couple is incredible. Matrix X-Sabre replaces the preamplifier so you can connect it to a power amplifier directly.

But you can choose under $1000, for example new Sabaj D5 DAC around 450$, measurements in the top class for that little price (preamplifier and headphone amps are built in)
 and Topping DACs are good as well, but under Sabaj D5, just check the measurement list I linked.

For good music layering, soundstage depth, DAC and power amplifier must be in the same league. 




oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948
488 posts
 
I started with the NAD M12 preamp. The included DAC was waaaaay too bright and forward in my system. I tried a Mytek Liberty DAC and while better it was still a bit too bright. I recently purchased the Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE tube DAC and I’m quite satisfied.

BTW, I replaced the NAD M12 with a Herron VSTP tube pre amp. Imaging, sound stage, detail, musicality, pretty much everything is much, much improved.
yggy1 OP
78 posts
 
treynolds115, big_greg, istvan1976, oldschool1948
Wow. All of those. It surprises me that I can still find one fantastic gear after another. All week. Thanks for the notice. In terms of the brightness of M12, try looking at this guys review. It help me to cross out forward sounding dacs.

https://soundnews.net/sources/dacs/benchmark-dac-3l-vs-mytek-brooklyn-dac-vs-matrix-audio-element-x-vs-matrix-audio-x-sabre-pro/
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