Best DAC for around $2,500 or less
This should be easy, go over to ASR and filter the database by SINAD for the money, done. I wish I could say that it was that easy for me. If that were the case, I'd have the Benchmark hooked up and sold the BorderPatrol. Turns out, my preferences don't align to perfect measurement... but when you really think about it, I think most people don't. Not a perfect analogy, but I bet everyone here also knows someone who (some what annoyingly) way overuses Instagram filters in their photography. Is that a more accurate representation of the picture? Definitely not. Does it give them some joy / describe a mood / something else emotional the original did not? Likely. |
I've been happy with my exaSound e32 Mark II, which does DSD and MQA. Since it's only sold through the manufacturer the argument would be you get more for your $2,500. https://exasound.com/Products/e32MarkIIDAC.aspx |
Without any reservation the latest from mojo audio $25-2700 with the Staccato Descreet opamps x4 9 Bellison super regulators, over 247k in capacitors, caddock 132 resistors R2R Classic Analog devises 1865 premium multi bit dac , scientific grade AC filtering hand biased matched channelsDC offset .this is a maxed out Hotrodded. i compared vs Schiit latest Yaggs, Chords $5k unit .this dac sounds so much more accurate, build quality wise nothing even at 2x the money has premium parts quality of this caliber. it may cost $200 more for the Staccato descreet opamp upgrade which run in pure Class-A and a 45 days audition it is thst good ,and a 5 year warranty |
