Depending on the type of sound you are looking for, here is the list I've listened to
Rega - decent solid dac. Has the Rega house sound if you are familiar with Rega gear. I liked it at first, but was wanting more.
Northstar USB - silky smooth, transparent, tight solid bass, highs not as extended, 3D soundstage narrow, but deep. With the right digital cable you can get the sound you are looking for.
Bel Canto 2 - nice starter dac. warm, detailed, musical. soundstage imaging is not as solid/3D, but wide and shallow. On complicated recordings, it can get congested, but the music is still enjoyable. this dac was in my system for some type. took a lot more for me to "upgrade".
Lector DAC - with the right tubes, you can get the sound you are looking for. the overall characteristic of the dac is that it is very transparent, detailed, solid 3D imaging. depending on the tubes, your soundstage, smoothness and the type of warmth will vary.
If you had me rank the 4 I just listed it would
1) Lector
2) Northstar
3) Rega
4) Bel Canto
Based on the rankings, you can see the wide price range. Bel Canto being the cheapest currently in the GON market, but can hold it's own.
I don't use USB so with the Northstar and Lector, I could be missing out since I know some dacs the USB input is the best input. Forgot to mention, I didn't audition the Rega in my system, because I could tell at the dealer what it was going to sound like my system due to the Rega house sound so didn't pursue it furthur. Not knocking the Rega, but wasn't my cup of tea. I still recommend it for people to try out since it is a good dac and for the price.
Rega - decent solid dac. Has the Rega house sound if you are familiar with Rega gear. I liked it at first, but was wanting more.
Northstar USB - silky smooth, transparent, tight solid bass, highs not as extended, 3D soundstage narrow, but deep. With the right digital cable you can get the sound you are looking for.
Bel Canto 2 - nice starter dac. warm, detailed, musical. soundstage imaging is not as solid/3D, but wide and shallow. On complicated recordings, it can get congested, but the music is still enjoyable. this dac was in my system for some type. took a lot more for me to "upgrade".
Lector DAC - with the right tubes, you can get the sound you are looking for. the overall characteristic of the dac is that it is very transparent, detailed, solid 3D imaging. depending on the tubes, your soundstage, smoothness and the type of warmth will vary.
If you had me rank the 4 I just listed it would
1) Lector
2) Northstar
3) Rega
4) Bel Canto
Based on the rankings, you can see the wide price range. Bel Canto being the cheapest currently in the GON market, but can hold it's own.
I don't use USB so with the Northstar and Lector, I could be missing out since I know some dacs the USB input is the best input. Forgot to mention, I didn't audition the Rega in my system, because I could tell at the dealer what it was going to sound like my system due to the Rega house sound so didn't pursue it furthur. Not knocking the Rega, but wasn't my cup of tea. I still recommend it for people to try out since it is a good dac and for the price.