Best DACs under $5K (2019 Version)

I would add the Hegel HD-30. It has almost any connection you need and just amazingly quiet background. IMO, Hegel has a particular sound, so audition and system matching would also be recommended, however, an excellent DAC.
 
I'd like to offer up the SW1X DAC III STD for consideration. The USD price will fluctuate since the price is listed in Pounds, but it's a tad under $4800 USD. The Pounds Sterling price is 3666.67. I will know how it sounds in another 6 weeks.

Michael
 
Looks like a decent unit. For me it would not work since it appears as if it only supports up to 96Khz, and I am a big DSD enthusiast :). Of course I could be mis-reading their website. Also having only SPDIF would be an issue also since I believe in custom computer music servers. Mine uses USB to connect to the DAC.

However if I were to get a PCM only DAC I would probably be more inclined towards the Schiit Yggdrasil.
 
T+A DSD8 but only at DSD512. At DSD512 it is the best that I have heard
Luxman DA-06
Yggdrasil
Auralic Vega
Exogal Comet with upgraded power supply
Hugo Chord
AVA DAC MK5 from Van Alstine- It sounded better than my Luxman in a shoot out. The Lux had it beat in DSD but the MK5 DSD has been upgraded since.
 
Mechnutt said:
T+A DSD8 but only at DSD512. At DSD512 it is the best that I have heard
Luxman DA-06
Yggdrasil
Auralic Vega
Exogal Comet with upgraded power supply
Hugo Chord
AVA DAC MK5 from Van Alstine- It sounded better than my Luxman in a shoot out. The Lux had it beat in DSD but the MK5 DSD has been upgraded since.
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I have never li listened to my T+A DAC 8 DSD in PCM. I heard it is supposed to be good... but I have never used it in anything but DSD512. I definitely agree with you on DSD512. It is quite amazing!
 
Randy Myers said:
I have never li listened to my T+A DAC 8 DSD in PCM. I heard it is supposed to be good... but I have never used it in anything but DSD512. I definitely agree with you on DSD512. It is quite amazing!
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Randy, the T+A does sound good in PCM but it is stellar at DSD512. I have a friend that has one. I first heard it in PCM and thought it sounds good, not great. Then he put the same track on at DSD512 and my jaw dropped. As you said "quite amazing".
 
Randy Myers said:
Looks like a decent unit. For me it would not work since it appears as if it only supports up to 96Khz, and I am a big DSD enthusiast :). Of course I could be mis-reading their website. Also having only SPDIF would be an issue also since I believe in custom computer music servers. Mine uses USB to connect to the DAC.

However if I were to get a PCM only DAC I would probably be more inclined towards the Schiit Yggdrasil.
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Well, that's what makes a market, isn't it? Everyone has his or her own preferences, likes, and dislikes. Any one DAC isn't for everyone, for sure. If I were a DSD enthusiast, I wouldn't be interested in NOS DACs either - but DSD wasn't stipulated in Marty's opening post.:hey:
 
1) Aqua La Voce S3
2) Directstream Jr.
3) Denafrips Terminator
4) Yggy
5) Holo Spring 2 Kitsune
6) And for an addition the DAC I've owned with the most "fun factor" the Musical Paradise MP-D2 Mk 3. A tube and capacitor rollers dream.
 
Under $5K my Auralic Vega at $3K was great, and that was three years ago. I would expect the latest version to be even better.
 
Bud

The Vega G2 looks like an interesting piece and also has built in streaming option but the list price is $5999. Not a bad price for a top of the line all in one device.
 
Great. Just like Lumin. Bring a good product to market, and then raise the price for the latest version. I seriously doubt if the cost for either vendor has increased.
 
Bud

There are two version kind of like the original A1 and T1. The G1 is only $3999 and like the T1 uses a standard chassis instead of a billiet one piece chassis. Also uses higher level clocks and other upgraded parts but the G1 has the same feature set like the original T1 did. So like with Lumin you can choose which level of case you want and get the same operation either way. Same concept as being used by PS Audio with the two DirectStream models.
 
Keith

I'm seriously considering sending my La Voce S2 back to Italy for the S3 upgrade which is basically a complete internal overhaul.
 
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