Puma Cat
Well-known member
Just a friendly reminder that Jeff specified in his first post he did not want a tube-based DAC.
DAC suggestions $6k and under?
- Thread starter 2FlyingYorkies
- Start date
Just a friendly reminder that Jeff specified in his first post he did not want a tube-based DAC.
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
I've also been looking at DAC's, a friend put me onto the Denafrips Terminator II. I've read some reviews, mostly glowing. I've never purchased any gear direct like that. Also, the TAS review talking about the outputs and he found it worked best with tube preamps, this I do not have. Another review from Steve Hoff mentioned the Toslink seemed to sound better to him over the USB, which my only choice is USB. On the other hand it looks like quite a piece for the money.
Puma Cat
Well-known member
If you're looking at stand-alone DACs and are okay with tube components, my recommendation would be a Lampizator Baltic 3 or Baltic 4. Also works great with USB.
Jack
Active member
Mr. P if you're talking about Olsher's review of the original Terminator he thinks everything sounds better with a tube preamp as that's what he uses with either a Lamm or a Supratek. A more relevant review would be the one on Twittering Machines of the Terminator II that he used with both the Constellation and Qualiton integrated amps. Also don't hesitate to buy from Alvin at Vinshine or his other two sales organizations. He's easy to reach and responsive. He also has a service tech. in Texas, Todd at Tek Audio Specialties. If USB is you preferred output then you might also want to look at the Holo May KTE or the Spring 3 KTE whose preferred input is USB. And while the Lampi's are fine sounding DAC's which has never been disputed the constant model changing has always kept me away from trying one and I've owned three other tube based DAC's. I own both Holo's and the Aqua and don't have a problem recommending any of them. If you need to hear them first then you need to reach out to Mike's distributor and find an Aqua dealer in your area.
Michaels HiFi
Well-known member
Yes, thanks. I was simply responding to Jack when he brought it up.
Puma Cat
Well-known member
Cheers.Mr Peabody
Well-known member
Looks like buying the Chinese DAC's there's no way to listen and no returns. That would be a real crap shoot for me and I can't afford to gamble.
I'm picky, I've ended up sending back or having to sell gear I've purchased. I've had gear that I loved the function etc. I just couldn't live with it due to something not sounding right to me. I may end up having to spend more but I want an audition or option to return within a reasonable time.
I'm picky, I've ended up sending back or having to sell gear I've purchased. I've had gear that I loved the function etc. I just couldn't live with it due to something not sounding right to me. I may end up having to spend more but I want an audition or option to return within a reasonable time.
I very much agree. I prefer Baltic to even the TRP, but its a matter of taste. Some very decent SS Dacs out there, but Lampi with Vol Ctl is very hard to beat.
Puma Cat
Well-known member
Yeah, they're amazing. Incredibly musical and engaging.
a.wayne
Well-known member
2FlyingYorkies
Member
- Thread Author
- #32
I decided to start off small and simple, and have ordered a couple of the less expensive imported DACs (one with an ESS 9038Pro, and one with an AKM 4499EX). As mentioned above, free shipping, 30+ day trial period, and free returns. So I figure it's worth the experiment just to see what all the analytical fuss is about. Definitely the antithesis of the PS Audio, which from what I gather measures about as poorly as a DAC can, but still somehow managed provided several years of pleasurable listening. 
After that, if I'm not sold, I may give the Holo May KTE a try, though that has the polar opposite shipping/returns policy. Always wanted to try an R2R, though.
After that, if I'm not sold, I may give the Holo May KTE a try, though that has the polar opposite shipping/returns policy. Always wanted to try an R2R, though.
chops
Active member
Just like you shouldn't base your choices off of what DAC chip is used, you should also not base your choices strictly on measurements either. As you said, the PS Audio unit provided years of pleasurable listening for you.
Well said!
2FlyingYorkies
Member
- Thread Author
- #35
Right. Hence the winking emoji!
One of the inexpensive DACs arrived today (I'll refrain from naming it for the moment, as it's unfair to subjectively judge the sound one way or the other with, uh, 30 minutes of total power-on time). I can, however, confidently say that it's dead silent when it's supposed to be, which the PS Audio never was. It definitely sounds different too, but again, I'm reserving all judgement about good or bad for a while.
One of the inexpensive DACs arrived today (I'll refrain from naming it for the moment, as it's unfair to subjectively judge the sound one way or the other with, uh, 30 minutes of total power-on time). I can, however, confidently say that it's dead silent when it's supposed to be, which the PS Audio never was. It definitely sounds different too, but again, I'm reserving all judgement about good or bad for a while.
Puma Cat
Well-known member
I decided to start off small and simple, and have ordered a couple of the less expensive imported DACs (one with an ESS 9038Pro, and one with an AKM 4499EX). As mentioned above, free shipping, 30+ day trial period, and free returns. So I figure it's worth the experiment just to see what all the analytical fuss is about. Definitely the antithesis of the PS Audio, which from what I gather measures about as poorly as a DAC can, but still somehow managed provided several years of pleasurable listening.
After that, if I'm not sold, I may give the Holo May KTE a try, though that has the polar opposite shipping/returns policy. Always wanted to try an R2R, though.
Some points for consideration:
a) connecting an Altaira to a DAC have a notably more profound impact than whether the DAC chip is an ESS 9038, ESS 9028, or AKM4499EX (all other parameters in the DAC being funciontally identical).
b) as mentioned before, and as Lukasz Fikus of LampiZator will state (and he knows a thing or two about this) is that the analog section of the DAC is much more important than whether the D/A methodology is Delta-sigma, R2R, or Mulitibit. When I interviewed Lukasz about this, he stated that a single transistor in the analog section can play a more significant role than the D/A "methodology".
c) at the end of the day, go by what your "ears" and most importantly, your brain (which is where the "music" is created) tells you is the most lifelike, musical, and involving experience.
Excuse my ignorance but why didn't you return it if you weren't happy with it? PS Audio have an obligation free return, right? I also owned the PS Audio DS Junior and mine also had a few problems. Those who closely follow the PS Audio forums know that every product they ever built has had problems reported by customers. Even the latest and greatest PS Audio DS Mk2 owners are reporting problems. Anyway, moving on.
My Esoteric Grandioso system has been down for about a month and in the meantime I've been using my Krell Foundation 7.1 processor for music. I tell you what, it sounds pretty good at a fraction of the price of the fully tricked up Grandioso. I see them on the used market from time to time for about $4K or less. Whilst it has been out for a long time I reckon it's a steal at its used asking price.
2FlyingYorkies
Member
- Thread Author
- #38
True, but my unhappiness didn't ever rise to that level of frustration. I just always felt like I could do better, but I also got a screaming deal on it, so it was also a question of likely needing to expand the budget if I did look elsewhere. And since there are zero opportunities locally to try before I buy, replacing it with something else would have been just as much of a crapshoot. So I just stuck with it and became used to its sound and other quirks (display that doesn't like to turn on, reluctance to switch inputs, needing to be rebooted every couple of weeks when the FPGA gets confused). Now that there's an actual electrical problem, I'm going to part company rather than try to get it fixed. It's still a crapshoot to go after the traditional audiophile DACs since there usually isn't a generous return policy for a home audition.
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
there are a good number of online retailers that offer return policy.
CPP
Active member
Since it has an hissing on the left channel/electrical problem not sure why you didn't get it repaired. Did you try a refresh of the firmware. I guess a ?, So are you going to sell it with this problem ? . PS Audio are really great about out of warranty repairs and support. [email protected].