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New DAC! Meitner MA3, Denafrips Terminator Plus, Holo May KTE, Mola Mola Tambaqui

Currently have an original Schiit yggdrasil.  Thinking about taking another step up or maybe two steps!  Is the Holo May still good?  I know I hear a lot about Denafrips.  Then someone was mentioning Mola Mola. 

I like the idea of the i2s HDMI connection, I believe this is so I could have my DAC decode SACD versus a player. 

Also considering name brands dCS Lina, Meitner MA3, MSB?

Wilson Alexia V

Dan D'Agostino S250

Mac mini running Roon

Is anyone really winning in this space.  Tough for me to demo at home as I'm 2 hours from HiFi Shops and they are kind of limited in the direct to consumer DACs.

Thank you!

chauncey
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
3,882 posts
 

You left the best dac out of the bunch out of the conversation .

we have tested most everything out there , the T+A 200 dac is exceptional 

at $7k a True  bargain , it will meet or beat any dac $15k or under personally

many of us liked it so much  even vs the Chord Dave, and Mola Mola dac 

which  far more  monies. As we speak I am saving for one .

4 others in our audio-get together already own it.

rubicon15
82 posts
 

Check out Lampizator’s entry level DAC, new Amber 4 or used Amber 3. They are incredible DACs. The build quality and sound is second to none in this price range. You can search and review the specs and reviews. 

cfa88's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
cfa88
98 posts
 

@chauncey , get an Aries Cerat DAC, even at entry level Helene, it beats so many DACs at higher pricing.

fastfreight
680 posts
 

@audioman58 , Good Morning!  Are your buddies using separate streamers with the T+A 200?  What amps?  Thanks, Ken

kennyc
1,195 posts
 

@chauncey you have very high quality revealing components so a matching quality DAC is advised. Prices may not be current:

  • -2.3 Doge 7 MkII tube DAC
  • 4.5 Wired4Sound DAC-2v2SE
  • -5.0 Audio-GD R7HE MK2
  • 5.6 Kitsune Hifi May-KTE.
  • *6.6 Lampizator Baltic 4 (punches way above price point- beats KTE).
  • -6.8 Bel Canto Ex1 DAC (Transparent)
  • 7.3 Lampizator Golden Atlantic TRP,
  • 8.0 ACCUPHASE DP-570 CD/SACD PLAYER
  • 10.5 Meitner’s MA 3.
  • 12.0 Mojo Mystique Pro (max 24/192)
  • *12.0 Rockna Wave dream EditionSignature DAC balanced
  • 13.4 Mola Mola’s Tambaqui
  • 15.0 APL Hi-FI DSD-SR mk2 (most Ianalog, unique sound)
  • 16.0 Briscasti M21
  • 18.0 Brinkmann Nyquist,
  • *20.9 Jadis JS1 MkV
  • *22.0 Playback Designs Dream
  • 28.0 Lampizator Golden Gate

I compiled this list when searching for my DAC hoping to get up to the sonics of my analog chain. I ended up purchasing the DSM/2 with the Linn Organik DAC card upgrade which I believe is a sonic bargain elevating to the sonics of top DACs - I still can’t believe my luck. https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/linn-products-organik-dac-in-the-klimax-dsm-network-player/

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