Best DACs under $5K (2019 Version)

I've got to call Mark Sousa the US distributor and make sure because the only price I've seen has been in Euros at 1460 which would be around $1700.
That would put the S2 with upgrade at the same price as a new S3.
 
I'm a complete amateur regarding DACs, but I've really been enjoying the Chord Qutest. It offers great flexibility in it's design, sounds very beautiful and is non-fatiguing and, I'm not even hearing it to its fullest potential as I use every input but the USB.

The next logical step for me is to integrate a NAS but I'm not quite sure how to do that yet. I believe doing so would allow me to listen to hard drive stored DSD files (and other formats too) through the Qutest and also still allow my Lumin devices access as well.

I'm a slow digital learner.
 
Jack said:
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.
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May I ask your thoughts on the Teac NT 505 versus the PS Audio DS Sr/ Bridge as a network device and a Roon End Point .....( I noticed both items are in your main system).....
Thanks....
 
Tom

I don't use either the Teac or the Directstream with a server or a NAS and have found no need for Roon so I can't help you there. I use both as just streamers and DAC's. Both operate as expected and I have never had a problem with either. In terms of software the Teac has a clear advantage in that it uses the Lumin app which is head and shoulders above MControl HD. I have found the Teac to perform exactly the same as the Lumin D1 I had before it but feel that the AKM 4497 chipset has the advantage over the older Wolfson chipset used in the Lumin and to my ears is preferable to the latest ESS Sabre DAC's. The 4497 is the same chipset used in the top line Esoteric products.
 
Jack said:
Tom

I don't use either the Teac or the Directstream with a server or a NAS and have found no need for Roon so I can't help you there. I use both as just streamers and DAC's. Both operate as expected and I have never had a problem with either. In terms of software the Teac has a clear advantage in that it uses the Lumin app which is head and shoulders above MControl HD. I have found the Teac to perform exactly the same as the Lumin D1 I had before it but feel that the AKM 4497 chipset has the advantage over the older Wolfson chipset used in the Lumin and to my ears is preferable to the latest ESS Sabre DAC's. The 4497 is the same chipset used in the top line Esoteric products.
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How would you describe the tonal balance of the Teac versus the LUMIN D1.... are the new AKM 4497’s a little more dense and fuller sounding than the chipset in the D1?
 
To my ears the AKM 4497 has a little bigger sound than the Wolfson chipset without going to far to the extremes. The Lumin D1 to me had a "warm and comfortable" sound that many have likened to Analog. The AKM's have some of those qualities but they are a fuller sound. The Lumin to me sounded the closest to the Aqua La Voce S2 which is a NOS DAC using the BB 1704. The Teac is a very good piece with plenty of features and solidly built at a really reasonable price.
 
Has anyone hear heard the Moon 280D and 380D? They have a streaming option. Simaudio /Moon seems to make decent products.
 
Mechnutt said:
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".
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up to this point, i use the t+a dac 8 dsd to only play PCM. could not be happier with the sound in my system. as mentioned before, i think i got much more dac than i paid for. an upgrade that would materially move the needle in terms of sonics would certainly be at least $10k+. from all reports, for those playing dsd 256 or 512 the price/performance must be off the charts.
 
aKnyght said:
up to this point, i use the t+a dac 8 dsd to only play PCM. could not be happier with the sound in my system. as mentioned before, i think i got much more dac than i paid for. an upgrade that would materially move the needle in terms of sonics would certainly be at least $10k+. from all reports, for those playing dsd 256 or 512 the price/performance must be off the charts.
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With HQPlayer everything I play is upsampled to DSD512 with 48 base clock.., 24.6 Mhz. I believe, for me, it is by far the best DAC. In my view to best it would be in a price range that is way beyond my means. It is one component that has zero chance of being replaced. Since T+A builds their equipment to last for decades and since I believe there is not any technology that will surpass what I have that is on the horizon, I am firm in my belief that the DAC 8 DSD will be in my system for a long time to come!
 
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