First of all let me say that for the short amount of time that this site has been up, I've found so much material to read it's not funny. I hope there won't be a test anytime soon...
After Mikes suggestion of the ARC REF DAC, I would recommend looking at the Wavelength DAC's. The only problem with Wavelength is that it is USB input only, but if that works for you Gordon is the man for USB DAC's.
Here's his website: Wavelength Audio, USB DACS, Crimson, Cosecant, Brick, Proton, Tube DACs
I used a Wyred 4 Sound DAC2 for a few years here. It was great at detail and precision, but seemed to be a bit harsh and lean in my system. I tried a few different DACs around the same price range ($1500-2000) but they were so similar that it didn't seem right to make a lateral move. I found a dealer who let me borrow a Wavelength Brick. It's a simple black box with one USB input and a single 12AU7 tube inside. It was much more musical than the Wyred but gave up a bit of the detail that I was use to. At that point I decided to up my budget realizing in order to get more I needed to spend more. I really wanted to get something like the Meitner MA-1, or the EMM DAC2x that you have. They were a bit over my price range though. I was seriously looking at the Wavelength Cosecant when the same dealer let me try his ARC DAC8. It had everything that I wanted. The detail was there along with that musicality I heard with the Wavelength. Now the DAC8 isn't tube based but hearing what I did with that piece, I wouldn't hesitate to jump at the REF DAC.
Another thing about ARC is the service they provide. If they release a product like a DAC and say it's capable of playing a certain type of file, you can be sure to know that it will. They also continue to update their drivers quickly when an update is needed and not a year or so down the line. I've been so impressed with my experience with them that I may eventually make the switch to all ARC gear.
The REF DAC has just about everything one would need from a DAC.
The Audio Beat - CES & THE Show 2012 - Hot Product - Audio Research Reference DAC, Reference 5 SE & Reference Phono 2 SE
If you are pleased with your current DAC, just add a quality high end tube buffer. Give Bill a call or email-
Purity Audio Design "Harmony" Audiophile Vacuum Tube Buffer
If you are pleased with your current DAC, just add a quality high end tube buffer. Give Bill a call or email-
Purity Audio Design "Harmony" Audiophile Vacuum Tube Buffer
Joe - another option would be to have a DSD DAC (Benchmark 2.0 or Mytek 192) just for DSD playback and have a tube DAC like the ARC REF DAC for everything else.
I'd like your opinions, experience with, and tube dac recommendations. Thanks!
Hi Joe
I had the AMR DP-777 for awhile to compare with the MSB and it was one of my favorite dacs I've had in my system. Very smooth with a slight warmth without sacrificing much detail. Another tube dac worth looking into is the Lampizator. It definitely had it's strengths with a very rich, warm, and dense sound but I think it's a piece you need to audition. In my system it did not work too well masking too much detail for my preference. I heard the ARC reference dac (not in my system) and it was very capable but the interface and accessing music via the network was having some issues when I tried it out. I would look at the Arc CD 9 which has a USB input so you can use it as a DAC and is not as complicated as the Arc Reference Dac. The CD 8 and CD 9 always sound very good every time I listen to a system with it.
Doesn't Joe's EMM already handle DSD?
Surprised nobody said AMR DP-777... has a few tubes in there, too.
Hi Joe
I had the AMR DP-777 for awhile to compare with the MSB and it was one of my favorite dacs I've had in my system. Very smooth with a slight warmth without sacrificing much detail. Another tube dac worth looking into is the Lampizator. It definitely had it's strengths with a very rich, warm, and dense sound but I think it's a piece you need to audition. In my system it did not work too well masking too much detail for my preference. I heard the ARC reference dac (not in my system) and it was very capable but the interface and accessing music via the network was having some issues when I tried it out. I would look at the Arc CD 9 which has a USB input so you can use it as a DAC and is not as complicated as the Arc Reference Dac. The CD 8 and CD 9 always sound very good every time I listen to a system with it.
Welcome to AS Hiro!!
I love my AMR DP-777.. but that's just me