Congratulations! Which other DACs did you compare with?
DAC's $5k - $11k
- Thread starter rbbert
- Start date
Congratulations! Which other DACs did you compare with?
jethropugh
New member
Sorry for the late reply everyone. Crazy week. So I borrowed whatever I could from friends and dealers locally and wasn't into auditioning every piece of kit known to man. Here's what I auditioned: Chord Dave, Denafrips Venus, Rockna Wavelight, Audio Mirror Tubador, and one of the higher end Ayre units. I think sometimes you hear something and a bell goes off in your head (either that or it's a flashback from a Dead show in the 70's). When that happened I stopped looking. I don't have the patience to audition everything as my goal is to listen to music and forget the hardware. Next up is a Toolshed 300b amp.
Hi Mike. Love your Youtube channel. Are you still confident in your recommendation of the MSB Discrete for under 11k? I have the Aurender N20 with the Luxman DA-06. Have dacs progressed that much since the Luxman? I really like the velvety liquid signature of my dac. Also, without spending 30K on the upcoming Aurender clock, do you believe a clock in my system would show minimal or large improvements? Thank you kindly.
Gene
Gene
Thank you and thank you for watching. Well, I was until the price went up! An MSB Discrete is now $12,500. So if you can splurge a bit more, than yes, MSB Discrete with your N20 is FANTASTIC. You would most definitely want the second PSU ($1450) and the ProUSB/ProISL Module ($2K).
As for the clock, since I’m recommending the ProUSB, than the word clock cannot be used with Pro USB because the Pro USB/ProISL itself is reclocked.
So, focus on the MSB Discrete with second PSU (giving you one PSU for the DAC’s analog section and one PSU for the DAC’s digital section) and the ProUSB/ProISL.
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Jim Smith
Member
I got the latest Aqua La Scala from Mike some months ago..
I recently bought some crazy expensive NOS tubes for it, and now would compare it to any dac out there for sheer musical engagement...
I recently bought some crazy expensive NOS tubes for it, and now would compare it to any dac out there for sheer musical engagement...
Jim Smith
Member
If the goal is pure "musicality" - start the comparisons with Lampizator
DONE!!!
pdub
New member
- Joined
- May 31, 2013
- Messages
- 234
Jim Smith
Member
Telefunken NOS ECC 801s, matched pair. Replaced stock ECC-81s.
- Thread Author
- #31
Although it is a bit counter-intuitive (given the price range), MSB owners seem to move up to higher-priced MSB DACs, and you (or Mike) may be able to find a used Discrete (with the necessary options) in your preferred price range.
Similar to nicoludio and jethropugh I discovered the Weiss DAC 502. Best DAC I have heard, maximum musical engagement. At £9k it’s a bit of a bargain. Has the option to use as a pre and has a built in balanced headphone amp that is no slouch.
Compared with
DCS Bartok
Chord Dave
Esoteric master discrete in N-05XD
Topping D90
Gryphon Diablo 300 (DAC board)
If you are in UK give Mike at Criterion a buzz very friendly and super accommodating.
(No affiliation in case youÂ’re wondering)
Compared with
DCS Bartok
Chord Dave
Esoteric master discrete in N-05XD
Topping D90
Gryphon Diablo 300 (DAC board)
If you are in UK give Mike at Criterion a buzz very friendly and super accommodating.
(No affiliation in case youÂ’re wondering)
PS Audio Directstream is a very old model, which is about to be replaced by DS Mk2. You could pick up a very cheap DS Mk1 when the market floods with used ones when owners upgrade to Mk2. Alternatively, a new Ayon DAC would be an excellent choice. For the money hard to beat.
Hi Mike. Since you carry Luxman, I assume at one time you've heard the Luxman DA-06 DAC. Can it still hold its own against current DAC's in the 6-8 thousand dollar range as the level of diminishing returns kicks in or are current dacs that much superior? I like the Luxman's liquid, smooth characteristics. Also, If I didn't want to go all out on the fully loaded MSB Discrete, how would a WEISS 501 match with the Aurender N20? Thanks.
If not Discrete, than Aqua La Scala all day long. D-06 is good, but La Scala is better. Put some NOS tubes into it and it’s beyond better.
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MPW
Member
Aqua La Scala is fantastic. Pairing with a LinQ (thanks Mike!) takes it to another level. Also agree on the NOS tubes. I added some Telefunkens to great effect.
mjs
New member
It's a little bit out of the quoted price range, but just wondering if there is any love for the Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC in this thread
Darrel
Member
I've had the HiFi Rose RS150b in my system for a few month now and I've only been impressed with it. I don't use all of the apps. But, for ease of use, price and performance it should be considered. There are aspects of the Gryphon internal DAC I miss. But, this is for the price a really good DAC and allows me to do so much within my iphone or ipad pro app.