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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
mrmanisundaram
81 posts
 

If u can find a used audio Note Kit dac, 2.1 or 4.1 it would be worth your while to try the out.  They ooze musicality, but very simple w no mqa, or OS,, etc.

+1 for the Frerot.  Incredibly good for the price.  I have one w a external power supply for sale...if interested, give me a shout.

Good luck in ur search.

desktopguy
337 posts
 

I have the MHDT Orchid (with choice of 2 "rolled" NOS tubes for the buffer circuit) and heartily recommend this DAC. It sounds wonderful, is very compact, and allows tube swaps in the buffer circuit. 

NOS is the way to go in digital, and this is one of the most reasonable options around if you're not intent on getting DSD, MQA, or any other acronyms in your system. 

jderson
24 posts
 

If it’s digital then strongly consider HiFi Rose.   I have heard and listened to a huge amount of very very good dacs.  These are streamers,preamp dacs. The sound and usability of these units are magical!  I have never heard a product that has had such a profound effect on my system.   I bought the rs150b and I’m still in shock how good it is.    Just my 2 cents but check it out for yourself.   
 

Regards,  j

mr_m
1,900 posts
 

@lous,

 

The name of the company in question is"Denafrips"

lous's avatar
lous
196 posts
 

mr-m,

 

Thanks, I like to forget that name for some reason, so much so that I am no longer aware that I have done it...

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