To goofyfoot:
Good example. As competitive as the market is, we benefit by discovering DACs that align with our budget and taste. This thread is an example of that.
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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@gregjacob have you listened to any of the dac suggestions? Thoughts? Did you buy anything? |
To rsf507: Of course I’ve “listened to” the DAC suggestions, and responded to most. No, I haven’t made a final decision. I can honestly say that as the discussion has grown, it’s helped clarify many of the DACs I will not have on a short list. I’ve also emailed and made phone calls to inquire more in detail with some companies or dealers to help. I’ve been planning on plunking down for this upgrade around the end of October so it wasn’t going to be a rash choice. I do hope the discussion is helping others as they search for their components as well. |
- 281 posts total