2. digital
  3. 138060-3787

A DAC that crushes price vs. performance ratio

I felt strongly that I wanted to inform the Gon members about a new DAC that ranks with the very best on the market regarding performance, but costs around $2,000.00.  The Lab12 DAC1 SE was compared to three reference level DACS that retail for over $12.000.00 in my review for hometheaterreview.com and was at least on the same level sonicly, if not better.  This DAC from Greece is not just "good for the money" but competes with virtually anything on the market regardless of price!

For all the details about the Lab12 DAC1 SE performance and what other DACS it was compared to take a look at the review.  If you are shopping/looking for a new digital front end to drive your system, you owe it to yourself to check this DAC out, unless you like to spend tons of more $ without getting better performance.
teajay
tksteingraber's avatar
tksteingraber
538 posts
 

Just picked up a used LAB12 DAC 1 Reference.  Sold by original owner who bought it May 2021.  Waiting for it to arrive.  I would like to hear from owners there impressions and any suggestions on tube rolling success…or any other comments.

Thanks as well! 

tksteingraber's avatar
tksteingraber
538 posts
 

LAB 12 DAC arrived and I have to say Wow!  Glad I picked this DAC up at half price. Couldn’t be happier with the realism and comforting crystal clear sound.  Waiting for some NOS Amperex 6922 gold pins to arrive to see how they perform vs the stock Electro Harmonix 6922.

phantom_av's avatar
phantom_av
320 posts
 

Playback Design DACs in the Higher End of the Market are one of the best value you can get today.

 

 

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,481 posts
 

I also picked up the Lab 12 DAC 1 Reference and am really enjoying it.    

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,481 posts
 

Does it compete with $10k DACs. ?   I don't know the answer to that but it definitely has a unique presentation.    So many songs that were tough to listen to are a lot better with this DAC, it's smooth and very forgiving to poor recordings.  It has a great bottom end,  drums and bass guitar have real delineation and texture .  

With great recordings it sounds fantastic.    Sounds "bigger" than the DAC it replaced .   Imaging goes way beyond the speaker boxes.   This DAC is a good example of something that measures worse than the DAC it replaced but for whatever reason sounds much better.

More to discover