LessLoss Echos End R2R: Just another thought.
LessLoss Echo's End R-2R DAC| Atelier 13 Audio (atelier13-usa.com)
Best DACs under $7,000.00
I'm tentatively beginning the search for a DAC upgrade. Currently, I have Innuos Zen MK3 as a streamer connected via USB to a Denafrips Iris DDC that is connected via I2S to a Denafrips Pontus II DAC. The Pontus II is excellent but I feel it's the one point where I could gain incremental improvement toward that illusive natural, layered, analog end-of-the-rainbow. I simply can't / won't spend above $5,000.00 - $7,000.00 on the DAC. The rest of my system: top-of-line Prima Luna Evo 400 Integrated Amp and a set of Harbeth speakers. Right now, I'm looking at Denafrips Terminator II or Holo Audio May DAC. I've never seen an a/b comparison of these two, but both stand out and have a following. Of course, the unsettling thing is DACs have evolved so much and are still in a blooming state technologically, making it a given that whatever we have today will probably be surpassed by better for less later, like electric vehicles. But that's the nature of the beast. Does anyone have alternative suggestions in this current climate?
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To tvad: Yes, I'm looking for transparent / neutral. Accurate without dry clinical. I will mention that Lou Hinkley, the creator of the Daedalus line, likes LTA amps and Lampizator DACS. They have all worked together at trade shows. I bought the PrimaLuna because it had some of the traits of the LTA but didn't hit my budget as hard while I'm building so many components at once. I think the PrimaLuna is, for a tube amp, not too warm /tuby. It has a nice, neutral sound that pairs well with the Daedalus. My search has been this: I bought the well-reviewed Denafrips Pontus II and Denafrips Iris DDC to enjoy while saving for a better DAC. So whatever I buy at this point has to be a good jump *up* from there, thus the $7,000.00 cap. If Lou Hinkley's choice for his speakers is of the Lampizator line, then that might be a starting parameter soundwise. Of course, we are all looking for the most analog sound possible. |
To jerryg123: The LessLoss Echos End is a beauty. Would love to hear what it can do. Can't find any reviews yet on the 5K model. Some buyers sent in reviews and their comparisons with other well-known DACs set the bar high. |
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Here’s Holo Audio May KTE and Denafrips Terminator + comparison with some sound samples (hard to judge on youtube but gives some idea). May KTE vs. Denafrips T+ I have considered these 2 DACs but in the end went with the Bricast M3 w/network player which allowed me to get rid of my Lumin streamer (one less box to deal with). Built in the USA, solid design, looks great IMO and I dig the sonic presentation (agree with @verdantaudio here on his description). I use Network Acoustics Eno streaming system (Ethernet cable plus filter) to feed the DAC and find the M3 in this configuration to be transparent, resolving, neutral and not analytical by any means. It throws a very good size soundstage as well. I can listen to it fatigue-free endlessly without any desire to lower the volume or walk out of the room to take a break. There are no digital artifacts that I can detect and the tone of instruments as rendered by the M3 is very natural. The M1SE is supposed to be even better but I never auditioned it so can’t offer any experience based thoughts. |
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