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
You want facts

AudioFacts is an official & respected dealer of Lumïn network players. As official & exclusive Lumïn distributor for the Dutch territory we support them with 24 months warrantee on all Lumïn products. The modified products however, we only support warrantee on the original parts. AudioFacts is responsible for all the parts which they have changed. On their part they give a 24-month warrantee on these modified parts, as this is their responsibility.

Best regards,

Penhold b.v.
Jan Legel - Sales & marketing director
Poppenbouwing 33
NL-4191 NZ Geldermalsen
Phone: +31 (0) 345 588060
Mobile: +31 (0) 6 51511868

Visit our website: www.lookenlisten.nl


Hey @bo1972 ...
This thread is: "Higher End DACs "

Could you please try to keep your posts on topic?
Really Bo we have hundreds of satisfied clients, it is totally possible that we have one disgruntled NYC client, in fact we probably know exactly who you are talking about he has had issues with the way we present and or talk to clients at shows, and has never purchased anything from us.

Okay you got us, how we work with clients:

1: identify through a process of asking questions what a suitable product or product might be, that fits the clients budget,musical tastes, matching components.

2: play the product or products that might work for a client

3: if required lend out said product to verify that the product is working to the clients satisfaction

4: scan the market for new and emerging products and technlogies approach company and get a display sample to test vs our other products.

5: if product is better than move into that product discard original.


We don’t modify anything nor do we endorse doing anything that would invalidate a companies warranty or make the product impossible to resell or service by anyone else other than a dealer such as you or us.

Bo lack of ignorance, you must be joking please show us some pictures of your shop and list your experiences want to go toe to toe?

We sell not just Lumin but Innous, Baetis, Bricasti, T+A, Naim, Aqua Hifi.Mytek, Ifi, Light Harmonic

in the past sold Emm Labs and Esoteric as well as Audio Aero, Remiyo, AMR and many many others. 

Do you honestly think that you know more about audio then teams of engineers from these companies?

We do not nor would claim to ever know more than these companies teams of engineers, in the case of T+A they have 12 full time engineers and two with PHD’s, Lumin is run by broacast engineers.

Do you have a PHD in electrical engineering or digital circuit design or software? If so please list your accreditions?

No Bo we would never claim to know more than a trained engineer we like you listen and compare products and know and look at ways of maximizing a product, as mentoned these include footers, grounding, power cords and conditioners, and other such tweeks.

Modifying a product means zero warranty and if that works for your clients then good for you and for them if they are willing to take those risks.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ






whatever diminished relevance this thread was clinging to

@mikelavigne   hopefully this meets your definition of diminished relevance... Love It!  : )

OP:  unless you have budgetary constraints, my advice is to stick to the initial intent of your thread. In other words, push yourself.

It is well worth the spend irrespective of brand chosen.

In that vein, I recommend the Rossini over the Bartok. The differences and superiority were clear in my extended audition. The Rossini also offers more if you add additional dCS chassis/ boxes.

If you can get MSB to loan one of their solutions, go for it. Likewise for other brands.

Finally, I would not let MQA drive a choice. Doing so is sub - TREE. I'll go further and say it's GRASS...and not the kind that's fun to get lost in. [Note: this is coming from someone who appreciates MQA]

Get above the treeline. Evaluate wholistically.