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Best DAC under $2K

I am transfering my cd colection to an external 500 GB hard drive using the I-tunes program (WAV files). Need an DAC to connect to my main system (Linn Ikemi, Kudos, Kairn-Pro, Klouts & Keltiks). Since my computer has a digital coaxial output I am not limited to an USB DAC, but will consider using an USB one. I am looking at the Bel Canto DAC2. Any other DAC in this price range? Any help will be very much appreciated.
hepl
nealhood
199 posts
 
MF Trivista 21 and the BC Dac 2 are both winners. Limit your choice to one of these and you can't make a bad decision.
bigkidz
3,330 posts
 
The Audio Logic is the best DAC under $2K used on Agon period.
hatfield
20 posts
 
If you're at all into DIY, Peter Daniel has a non-oversampling DAC kit based on the TDA1543 chip. There's a mention of it in the "Latest News" section on his site
http://audiosector.com/

It's an extremely well thought out design and very musical (much in the vain of the 47 Labs DAC). If I recall, the basic kit can be had for around $250. It's extremely tweakable and very responsive to changes in cables, footers (isolation/decoupling), resistors, caps, etc.

He also offers a finished version for around $1K.

FWIW, I'm not at all affiliated w/ Peter, have no vested interest, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Cheers,
Hat
yohjo
83 posts
 
I had the Bel Canto Dac 2 for about 2 years and absolutely loved it. I sold it only because I went to a one box unit, the Ayre cx7e.
hepl OP
147 posts
 
Thanks for the help. Just got an e-mail from a North Star dealer, went into their web page and it does look interesting. The model is the North star 192. The unit features two toroidal transformers, one for the digital side and one for the analog side. Any one has tried it?
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