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?
@anzaanimalclinic, thanks for that info, and yes, would like to know more about the audible difference between SOtM and ENO. To complicate things even further I noticed NA has a newer product called "muon". @gregjacob, my B3 got me to the point where I am much more focused on listening to music rather than upgrading. When it came to the Phoenix, it became expendable. I'm hoping your A3 delivers the same (and more) for you. |
chilehed Thanks. I did contact Lampizator but they are not currently offering I2S input options. Their answer: "Problem with i2s is there's no universal standard. So unless we know the specs you're trying to match, it won't be compatible." Which, unfortunately, is true. The only sure compatibility is if, like in the case of Denafrips, the I2S is used within the same brand. The general opinion is that any additional processing to try and improve upon declocking / reclocking is probably redundant at best. Some who have tried testing it on higher-end equipment have discarded outside declocking altogether. |
Any recommendations for a DAC with a big soundstage, good dynamics, but low on glare? I have a Mc DAC that has the first two of my requirements but can have an edge and glare. Just trying out a PS Audio Directstream, which I’m returning because it is too closed and lacks dynamics—no glare at all though. the Weiss 501 looks intriguing. |
@w123ale have you heard a Bricasti M3 yet? Checks all my boxes. |
