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Need help choosing a new DAC

With so many options for DACs these days, I'm having a hard time deciding on a new DAC.  Currently considering a MHDT Orchid or Pagoda, Denafrips Pontus II, Benchmark DAC3,  Schitt Yggdrasil, or Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE.  I don't need any options such as volume control, BT, or MQA.  I also prefer musicality over measurements.  I'm currently using a SMSL SU-9, which will be moved over to my office system.  I'm tired of moving it back and forth between systems. My bank account prefers the cost of the Orchid since the other options cost up to twice as much, but I can go as high as $2500.  I mostly steam Qobuz thru a Raspberry Pi 4, but also use a Cambridge Audio CXC v2 CD transport on occasion.  My preamp is a Don Sachs DS2 tube preamp going into a D-Sonic m3a-1200s amp feeding "Gunned" MMGs.  I mostly listen to the Grateful Dead, rock, jazz, and acoustic music. Which DAC should I get and are the any others I should look at? 

terrapin77
sameyers1
126 posts
 

If you are willing to purchase used equipment I would add the Ayre Acoustics QB 9 or later QB 9DSD to your list. These are USB only DACs which were more expensive new than the CODEX, have both RCA and balanced outputs and are available used on Audiogon and other sites for $1,000 to $1,500. Ayre offers a major upgrade to Twenty status described in the link below. You can do the upgrade later. I thoroughly enjoy mine, which has been upgraded. I’ve listened to others costing twice as much but have had no reason to change horses.

 

14point1
40 posts
 

I’m what I consider a medium to low budget audiophile. I just added a MHDT Orchid to use primarily with a CD transport. I’m quite happy with the improved sound out of my CD player. Seriously looking forward to purchasing a better transport. I have a Jolida Fusion 6802 integrated amp if that matters.

riie
209 posts
 

Normally if the DAC is sealed in its original box, it will be new.

chorus
976 posts
 

Buy a Denafrips Ares 2-$800.  

langla4
27 posts
 

Way too many choices.  Just pull the trigger and get one.  Then like the rest of us, put it up for sale and move up the food chain.  Do it once or twice, and your significant other will think you are hooked on fentanyl.  Trust me on this:  I’m now using the Brinkmann Nyquist DAC.

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