2. digital
  3. 170434-165082

A Newcomer to Digital Looking to Upgrade My Dac, Tubes? Ideas?

Being a relative newcomer to digital downloads and playback, I love the convenience when I am looking for a short music session and don't feel like going through my vinyl. I find the digital quality pretty good, but looking to upgrade my dac to get some additional warmth into my playback, I'm thinking maybe a tube dac, not sure what I should spend but cost wise was thinking of $ 2,000.00 as a budget. Not sure if such a dac exists, or if you have suggestions. I have built up a pretty good collection of both PCM and DSD HD music, mostly copies of what I have on vinyl but the vinyl has seen better days. Currently I am using a TEAC UD-501, tube preamp- (Schiit Mjolnir 2), Amp.- (Adcom 555se), Balanced throughout usually through my PC but I also use my portable through the coax to the dac. Speakers are Wilson Benesch Square 2. Unfortunately I have an L shaped listening room, which seconds as our living room, typical of what you find in a condo, volume levels are generally low to medium, to spare the neighbours, and I split my time between the speakers and headphones.
128x128pooch2
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,810 posts
 
I'm thinking maybe a tube dac, not sure what I should spend but cost wise was thinking of $ 2,000.00 as a budget. Not sure if such a dac exists

Have you searched this forum or the internet? Really, you cannot assert to be at square one on this question with any kind of earnestness. 
pooch2's avatar
pooch2 OP
72 posts
 
Thanks for all the recommendations so far, I have the research list started. Much appreciated!
gasnsteering
58 posts
 
For far less you should consider the Black Ice FX tube dac.   Won a blind shootout.   Tube rolling will help adjust the sound and change things up a bit.
buddyboy1
106 posts
 
I second the Schiit Loki Mini+ tone control....It's amazing for adjusting the sound just the way you like it without adding distortion like many EQ's do. DAC wise, No other DAC under a grand sounds more analog and gets more positive rave reviews than the Denafrips Ares 2....Wide open , musical and I love the phase button that  gives you that " I am there" feel. Most DACS don't offer that feature. Definitely an R2R DAC for analog sound.....
vinylvalet
841 posts
 
The Black Ice FX DAC is excellent.

Or build one of the lower cost Audio Note Kit DACs.

Many great, low cost DACs these days. With that in mind, spending more money on a tone control to make a bad DAC less annoying makes no sense.
More to discover