I've owned an orchid, border patrol and tubadour. As far as my preferences, I like the Border Patrol better but it isn't as detailed at the tubadour, it is more detailed than the orchid and I'm sure the se of the tubadour is even better. I have not heard the sei version of the Border Patrol. Gary Dews of Border Patrol is brilliant and the Border Patrol is almost no risk. It has a reasonable return policy and the resale demand is exceptional if you want to try something different. I asked Gary recently if he was going to come out with a more full featured dac someday and he could make a few changes to the existing dac for around another $1,000 that would make things interesting. The thing is, if you are just going to sit down and enjoy some music, its hard to argue at the BP pricepoint. The Lampizator dacs are also quite good but they have shifted away recently from pure r2r and now utilize a special digital engine with a DS dac. Good luck, there are alot of great dacs and gear out there. The BP dac sei is a really cool option and you can reach him on the phone. The td1543 dac chip isnt the last work on detail or sampling rate varietals, but it is one of my favorites for value and musicality on most recordings. It is so outdated in the minds of many and yet, some really musical dacs use it. Audio note's new integrated even uses it and its not like Audio note makes rash decisions or puts out a product that doesnt meet their standards. Good luck.
DAC choices -- help me cross the line
My current DAC is Cambridge Audio Azur 851D driving the two channel speaker system in the study. My headphone system consists of a Bluesound Node 2i feeding into a Quicksilver headphone amp. The plan is to put the CA DAC in the headphone chain and sell the Node, so this means I have to purchase a new DAC for the 2 channel system in the study. Here's what the 2 channel system looks like ...
opticalRendu >> CA Azur 851D (to be replaced) >> Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum 2 >> Harbeth P3esr
So what am I looking for? Heft, holographic, a bit of warmth, big organic sound, tonal richness. I don't mind sacrificing a bit of neutrality or accuracy. I listen to all kinds of music but am partial to jazz, vocals, classic rock.
I almost pulled the trigger on a Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ but wanted to take the R2R DACs for a spin just for kicks. I was initially interested in the MHDT Pagoda or Orchid, but their no-return policy is a no go for me. I know some people don't mind, but I really don't want to give my business to a company who doesn't trust its own products.
So this leads me to three final contenders -- AudioMirror Tubadour iii SE, Tubadour iii (regular/non-SE) and the Border Patrol DAC. Really interested in hearing from someone who might have heard at least one of the two, or better yet compared the Audiomirror to one of the MHDT DACs.
Now Audiomirror offers two versions of the Tubadour III -- SE and non-SE, with the SE being a $1000 costlier. Wondering if the sonic improvements are worth the higher $$$ in the SE version. Would love to hear from someone who has had a chance to compare the two.
Also wondering how the Tubadour III regular version compares to MHDT Pagoda. Both are around the same price.
Note: If are going to suggest another DAC, I don't mind. But please make sure it's R2R, < $2500 (used or new), has a return policy, and NOT made in China.
opticalRendu >> CA Azur 851D (to be replaced) >> Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum 2 >> Harbeth P3esr
So what am I looking for? Heft, holographic, a bit of warmth, big organic sound, tonal richness. I don't mind sacrificing a bit of neutrality or accuracy. I listen to all kinds of music but am partial to jazz, vocals, classic rock.
I almost pulled the trigger on a Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ but wanted to take the R2R DACs for a spin just for kicks. I was initially interested in the MHDT Pagoda or Orchid, but their no-return policy is a no go for me. I know some people don't mind, but I really don't want to give my business to a company who doesn't trust its own products.
So this leads me to three final contenders -- AudioMirror Tubadour iii SE, Tubadour iii (regular/non-SE) and the Border Patrol DAC. Really interested in hearing from someone who might have heard at least one of the two, or better yet compared the Audiomirror to one of the MHDT DACs.
Now Audiomirror offers two versions of the Tubadour III -- SE and non-SE, with the SE being a $1000 costlier. Wondering if the sonic improvements are worth the higher $$$ in the SE version. Would love to hear from someone who has had a chance to compare the two.
Also wondering how the Tubadour III regular version compares to MHDT Pagoda. Both are around the same price.
Note: If are going to suggest another DAC, I don't mind. But please make sure it's R2R, < $2500 (used or new), has a return policy, and NOT made in China.
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- 70 posts total
- 70 posts total