Back to the DAC


Just a bit of an update. When I inquired about a DAC upgrade in a recent post, it was suggested that I look at upgrading my cables first. Since then, I have done so (see my virtual system for that). Not over the top stuff, but a definite improvement over the mostly stock, generic cables I originally had.

System is sounding pretty darn good, but like most of us, you always wonder what a more expensive DAC will offer in the way of sound quality improvements.

Many of the recommended, higher priced DACs seem to include streamers and/or offer pre-amp capabilities. I have a good streamer and pre-amp and really don’t want all those components in one box.

Have any of you experienced a DAC which offers the sound qualities of highly praised units like the Mola Mola Tambaqui, DCS Lina, T&A 200, Weiss DAC501, etc. which their only function is a DAC?

128x128navyachts

+1 for TVAD (both comments)

My experience: I have listened to a Lampizator Atlantic (my own) and Pacific side by side with a Mola-Mola Tambaqui and clearly preferred any of the Lampizator.

In facto and generally speaking I have not heard other DAC that pleases me more than Lampizator although not side by side (dCS Vivladi and Bartok, Audio Research, Simaudio Moon)

The only one that I enjoyed more was an APL when not using its USB input where the difference is not so clear.

Of all the DACs above I would audition the MSB DACs.  IMO, they sounded the best of all of the SS designs.  The Lampizator can be upgraded (by me) to sound excellent.  You can find a post somewhere on Agon where we did one for a customer.  That option saves you a ton of money versus the higher end cost DACs.  We also build tubed DACs on occasion for our customers.  R2R, separate power supplies, 101D DHT or 6SN7 versions.  Was not a fan of the Mola product although I do hear what people hear, but overall just not natural sounding which is what we prefer.  The other DACs to our ears are good to just OK sounding.

Happy Listening.

 

 

Denafrips makes awesome quality equipment at lower prices that “well known” brands. You can get their Terminator DAC for less tan $5K - R2R with 0.005% resistors, over-controlled clock, excellent measurements. They also offer DDC units that reclock USB signal before it reaches DAC and then sends to DAC over proprietary I2S connection. DDC can synchronize to DAC clock. Anyway, a lot of very high quality tech at very reasonable prices.

Ever looked into AQUA acoustic quality? I own the latest version of the La Scala and I'm very happy with its sound quality.