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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
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navyachts's avatar
navyachts OP
436 posts
 

@soix the Lampizator is a great suggestion, buy like ​​​​​@tvad I also suffer from tubeous nervosa, lol!

@bigkidz see above & below

@riie at $27,500 you better be happy! https://scottwalkeraudio.com/store/msb-premier-dac/

@vinylshadow It’s a bargain at $3,500 less than the MSB DAC! Playback Designs MPD-8 Dream DAC (verdantaudio.com)

@corente APL, right up there with the MSB and the MPD-8, outta my league, but thanks for the info.

@audphile1 M3 is the entry level Bricasti, so I was snooping around and see a few used M1s around for a decent price, maybe worth looking into? What are thinking of upgrading to?

@nepfotos no, but I will look into AQUA. Thanks!

@mikhailark ok, thank you.

@tomic601 appreciate your comments.

 

mitch2
3,691 posts
 

I owned the Tambaqui late last year and sold it after a month or so.  It sounded arguably “perfect”, but was not engaging enough to me.  I have heard of others selling the Weiss for similar reasons and Benchmark (which I still own), same thing. However, each of those pieces have many satisfied users.

The point is, the selection of a DAC isn’t so much about brand names, reviews, or recommendations but rather the type of sound you are trying to achieve and the trade-offs you are willing to make to achieve it.  The reviews/recommendations can help shrink the pool but only you will be able to decide on what equipment will stay in your system and the best way to do that is to hear it in your system, to the extent feasible.

hysteve
71 posts
 

Recently I picked a slightly used t+a DAC 200 and I am really, really  pleased with the sound. My progression: border patrol SEi; Ayre codex; Ayre QB9 Twenty; Hegel 590 (built-in DAC); t+a 200. It is a good match for rest of my “colorless” ss system that reveals pretty accurately what’s in the engineering of the material. Poor quality won’t move me but, the better recordings are amazing. Bass, mids, highs, sound stage are all there. Speakers (Magico A3) disappear. For me, audio bliss for around 5k. Some of the others aforementioned may be great too but, the t+a deserves a listen if you get a chance.

navyachts's avatar
navyachts OP
436 posts
 

@mitch2 agreed.

@hysteve T&A has some great reviews, particularly this one:

https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FFy-cVOJNWRY%3Ffeature%3Dshared&data=05%7C02%7C%7C0d6bc643d75f4d2ef20208dc66cce6e3%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638498277430712721%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=yyNg9YiVXsyprw3DOu%2F3sqhpUYWT%2FNoqcXJ8eZpegTo%3D&reserved=0

just wish they made a DAC only with out a pre-amp.

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