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Higher End DACs

I am looking for a DAC (potentially streamer&DAC) to be paired in a mcintosh system (c1100/611). Its my first foray into digital streaming and I have no need for a CD player.

I see a lot of love for Esoteric, however, most seems to be around their transports? Are they not as renowned for pure digital streaming and/or standalone DACs? I see DCS (for instance) often referenced for standalone DACs - how does Esoteric compare?
ufguy73
ldmr888's avatar
ldmr888
26 posts
 
For the DAC in the 20k range, I would recommend DCS Vivaldi II, or, TotalDac Twelve, or, Lampizator Pacific. Don’t like Esoteric DACs much myself, even I am playing their P-0s VUK transport. 
ufguy73 OP
51 posts
 
@ldmr888 curious what is it about dcs that you prefer to the esoteric signature?
ldmr888's avatar
ldmr888
26 posts
 
DCS are just more musical than Esoterics in my system.  I am more into R2R DACs. 
ufguy73 OP
51 posts
 
Thanks, what else do you have in your system?

appreciate the thoughts
guisep
3 posts
 
I recently wanted to purge my CD player and auditioned a Aurender ACS 10 with a Audio Research
DAC 9 both costing under 12K!
The sound was exceptional in all respects and the system could be controlled by an IPAD using a streaming app of your choice.
This is worth checking out!
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