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Thread: New DAC Time, Please Help!!
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March 26, 2022, 11:35 PM #1Member
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New DAC Time, Please Help!!
Hello All,
I am in need of a new DAC and need some helpful insights. It will serve as a source for a Luxman 590AXii and B&W 802D3's. I particularly like bass (a lot) and a tube-like midrange. The highs are not as important. I have heard a DCS Bartok, and it is not my cup of tea! I am considering anything. I am intrigued by the Lumin X1 & new P1, also the MSB Discrete. I have not ruled out an Audio Note tube DAC (most likely the 2.1 signature balanced, streamer TBD) or any of the Bricasti offerings. My head is spinning because of the choices. A DAC/streamer makes things simple, but the Audio Note route requires a streamer (Lumin U1mini or Aurender N200 - this requires another post to debate). I do not do Roon, but I am not opposed to it with the inclusion of a Nucleus. Please help with your journeys and experiences!
Thanks.
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March 27, 2022, 12:12 AM #2Member
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Re: New DAC Time, Please Help!!
I'm biased towards the X1 of course as I'm very happy with mine, but the Mola Mola Tambaqui might be worth a look/listen as well. It gets good reviews (although what doesn't) and from all accounts it seems to fulfill your requirements.
KEF The Reference 5, Gryphon Diablo 300, Lumin X1
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March 27, 2022, 12:24 AM #3Senior Member
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Re: New DAC Time, Please Help!!
The X1 and Audio Note (I've had the 2.1 and 4.1) are the DACs I've appreciated the most, of what I've had and what I've heard.
Main System
Lumin X1 > Boulder 1161 > Scansonic MB3.5 B
Headphones
Home: HiFiMan Susvara > Schiit Lyr+
Portable: Focal Radiance > AQ Dragonfly Cobalt / Chord Hugo 2
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March 27, 2022, 08:01 AM #4Senior Member
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Re: New DAC Time, Please Help!!
You say: DAC/streamer
I say: Esoteric N-05XD. Nothing else to think about.Speakers: Magico M3, ACC, S-SUB | Electronics: Esoteric Grandioso stack | Amplification: Halcro |
Analog cables: Crystal Cable | Digital cables: Shunyata Sigma | Rack: YG Acoustics Rack 1.8
| Source: Kaleidescape Premiere (4 x 6TB) | Power: Shunyata Typhon-QR, Everest and Denali
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March 27, 2022, 10:29 AM #5Senior Member
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Re: New DAC Time, Please Help!!
I know I am biased; I do suggest at least considering the T+A products. I am thrilled with my DAC which was recently replaced in their lineup. It was out for years and was always listed in Stereophiles top rated products along with many other publications recommended products. T+A is designed and built in Germany and have high ratings on all their products, but the DACs usually get especially high reviews.
T+A takes a unique approaching separating PCM and DSD signals on the input and processing them through completely separate paths. PCM is considering very good (one of the best), but if you like DSD you should very much check out their offerings. Many sources put them in a category by themselves when decoding DSD signals, where they use 1-bit processing that was developed in house. Their current DACs all go up to DSD1024.
HQPlayer fans (such as myself) rave about T+A. One of my audio club friends, who has by far the highest-level system in our group recently picked up a T+A DAC/SACD player. He replaced a high end dCS and is thrilled with the difference. Our club president told me he was shocked at how much better the T+A was. Because of occurrences over the past couple years, we have all been limited at hosting meetings, etc., so I have not personally heard his.
Our club president has been trying to get my to sell him my T+A, but he realizes it is pretty much a futile effort
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McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Wyred 4 Sound ISO Recovery, DC Recovery | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105
“One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
"You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
― Neil deGrasse Tyson
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March 27, 2022, 11:07 AM #6Senior Member
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Re: New DAC Time, Please Help!!
Aqua La Scala MK II sounds good with my Lux C900u -- perhaps preferable to the built-in DAC in the Lux D08u (don't ask me to compare -- I'm terrible at describing that stuff). While the c900u/m900u architecture isn't precisely the same as your integrated, there may still be enough similarity to make it worth a try. The Aqua has a pair of ECC81 tubes that can be rolled.
Bass isn't always the province of the DAC. Back when I had an EMM DAC2X, a more robust PC greatly enhanced the DAC's drive. And one of the biggest bass enhancements I ever heard came from a freakin' change in Ethernet cords.
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March 27, 2022, 05:23 PM #7Member
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Re: New DAC Time, Please Help!!
You did not give price range: I am fan of DACs
< 10K: Holo audio may KTE, Chord Dave, Esoteric N-05XD
10-20K: Mola Mola Tambaqui, Rockna Wavedream, Aqua XHD Rev 2, MSB discrete, Esoteric N-01XD, Lumin X1, Berkley Ref 3
> 20K: Aries Cerat Kassandra, Esoteric K-01XD, MSB premier, DCS rossini, ideon absolute, EMM DA2
Nothing is best. All about preference. I love esoteric. Now, I am going to Aries Cerat Kassandra.
Good luck
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March 27, 2022, 05:56 PM #8Senior Member
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Re: New DAC Time, Please Help!!
You say "I am considering anything." Does that mean price is not a limitation? Larry
Analog-VPIClassic3-3DArm,Lyra Skala+MiyajimaZeroMono,2xAmpex ATR-102,Otari MX5050B2, Merrill Trident Tape Preamp, Herron VTPH-2A&BottleheadPhonoPre,
Dig Rip-Pyramix,IzotopeRX3Adv,MykerinosCard,PacificMicroso nicsModel2 AD
Dig Play-Lampi Horizon, mch NADAC Roon/HQPlayer,Oppo105
Electronics-DoshiPre,CJ MET1mchPre,Cary2A3monoamps
Speakers-AvantgardeDuosLR,3SolosC,LR,RR
Other-512 Engineering Tim Marutani Symmetrical Power IsoTrans and cables,AudioDiskVinylCleaner,
Music-2.3KR2Rtapes,1.5KCD's,500SACDs,60TBripped files
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March 27, 2022, 06:28 PM #9Senior Member
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Re: New DAC Time, Please Help!!
Pretty soon you will have just about every DAC made noted in this thread. I suggest you pick your dealer(s) of choice and give what they have a listen. if you have a relationship with them i am sure you will be able to bring one or two home to try out in "your" set-up. I'm sure you will find one that does what you want and willb e able to live with for several years.
Jim
D'Agostino Momentum M-400's MxV’s & HD Pre-amp
Wilson Alexandria X2 Series 2 speakers
Digital: dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC, Clock & Upsampler
Analog: SME 20/3 with Esoteric E-03 Phono
Transparent Opus Speaker Cable & Interconnects & Opus Power Cords
Power Cords on Digital: Shunyata
Power Conditioner - Shunyata Everest
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March 27, 2022, 07:00 PM #10Member
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Re: New DAC Time, Please Help!!
Larry,
Price range under $15K.
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March 27, 2022, 07:02 PM #11Senior Member
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Re: New DAC Time, Please Help!!
Thanks, Remi. No recommendation from me then. Larry
Originally Posted by Remi
Analog-VPIClassic3-3DArm,Lyra Skala+MiyajimaZeroMono,2xAmpex ATR-102,Otari MX5050B2, Merrill Trident Tape Preamp, Herron VTPH-2A&BottleheadPhonoPre,
Dig Rip-Pyramix,IzotopeRX3Adv,MykerinosCard,PacificMicroso nicsModel2 AD
Dig Play-Lampi Horizon, mch NADAC Roon/HQPlayer,Oppo105
Electronics-DoshiPre,CJ MET1mchPre,Cary2A3monoamps
Speakers-AvantgardeDuosLR,3SolosC,LR,RR
Other-512 Engineering Tim Marutani Symmetrical Power IsoTrans and cables,AudioDiskVinylCleaner,
Music-2.3KR2Rtapes,1.5KCD's,500SACDs,60TBripped files
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March 27, 2022, 09:16 PM #12Senior Member
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Re: New DAC Time, Please Help!!
I've had Audio Note and although nice to listen to it was on the Romantic side, good for vocals and small ensembles I didn't like it for Rock or other more dynamic music.
My taste is Bricasti, love what they do. I've only heard the DAC, no experience with their streaming capability.Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables
HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
SVS PC13 Ultra
Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer
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AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
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