Call me old fashioned or eccentric, I use Altmann Attraction DAC with the matching BYOB amp, both powered by 12V LiFePo4 fast response batteries. The sound could not be better, cleaner both at low and high freq.'s on my Living Voice speakers (which I installed after getting rid of my Zu Druid IVs). Very happy.
DAC Choices - $5,000 to $7,000
What are the current top DAC choices in the approximately $5-$7K price range (new or used) that I should look at as possible upgrades to my current Metrum Adagio?
Having an on-board volume control is not a factor as I can operate my system either way. If I wanted to spend more I would look at Totaldac, Rockna Wavedream Signature, or one of the other top-end contenders, but I selected the price range to achieve a sound quality that is consistent with the rest of my system and because I don't want to spend more due to the still evolving nature of digital technology. I do like the more natural sound
(to my ears)
of NOS R2R DACs. So far, I have considered the three below, but none seem to be a slam-dunk upgrade from the Adagio, which still sounds pretty good in my system. The decision is complicated by having to "buy to try" so that I can hear one in my system. Maybe now is not the time for an upgrade. Any thoughts?
- Denafrips Terminator w/DSP board - Reportedly has the full body/dense tone type of sound I like, but also has a high'ish output impedance
- Holo May KTE - Reportedly measures great for an R2R DAC and has strong reviews
- Rockna Wavelight - Some reviewers like it but others put it in the middle of the pack for the price
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- 231 posts total
Thanks for the support! We are really busy in this holiday seasons. Most of our stock ran out. We decided to roll out preorder basis for products that are backordered. Do check it out! Happy holidays! Cheers, Alvin Chee www.vinshineaudio.com |
@rsf507 - Fed Ex is really busy and delivered it later than expected - this evening. Since I have not had time to connect it, or to reengage the volume control on my preamp, I am going to need a couple of days or more to really get to know the DAC. I can set it up tomorrow to run amp-direct through a balanced Goldpoint attenuator I have here, but I will probably not know how good it really sounds until I can run it through my preamp. I would like to have it figured out before the end of the year in case I want to take advantage of current pricing on an EVO level Mystique DAC (before the planned 2021 price increase). |
- 231 posts total