DAC Suggestions Please!

Most definitely!
I have family in Naperville, just outside of Chicago.
Any excuse to go back...thanks very much for the heads up!

I would also love the chance to meet Brian in person. They are a really impressive company.
The M1 is costly no doubt, but the continual improvements and opportunity to upgrade as things progress at a super reasonable price is what sold me. They take care of their customers. I see huge value in that and the fact that it won't be obsolete in 6 months...
 
Jason (Bavarian05)...congrats once again on the Bricasti DAC. I forget, does that unit do DSD natively?
 
cmalak said:
Jason (Bavarian05)...congrats once again on the Bricasti DAC. I forget, does that unit do DSD natively?
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Yup. I ordered the current version with the remote and USB input. It Utilizes DOP for up to DSD128 playback. I am a fan of DSD files so this was important to me.
 
cmalak said:
Larry...any updates on the Cary 200ts DAC?
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Well I am sorry to say that the Cary is being taken back. It was not my cup of tea. The texture of vocals and instruments sounded very similar to my well aging Van Alstine Hybrid tube DAC (which is a testament as to how good the several year old AVA dac is). The SS section of the Cary is better than the tube. The SS has a full, rich midrange with well controlled tight bass with nice air in the high frequencies like cymbals. The tube output stage had a lighter, airy sound to the midrange. It definitely needs some vintage 12Au7 tubes instead of the Electro-Harmoinix tubes. Both the SS and tube stages are very smooth, more so than my current DAC. My AVA DAC has better attack on stings and piano along with more punch to bass and drums. It also has a wider sound stage than the Cary. I let in burn if for 4 days continuously. It's not that I did not like the DAC, it is just that it did not wow me, and that my AVA DAC did some things better. It was not a good match for my system and at $4K it should sound much better than my current DAC. I am sure some people will like it. The Cary has nice features and its build quality is excellent. It weighs over 25lbs.

I got to hear an Auralic Vega DAC on a system that was over $100K. It was connected to a VTL preamp, VTL 450wpc tube monoblocks, Rockport Technologies Avior speakers. The system also included a $45K phono preamp, Vitus DAC and Brinkman TT.

The Vega sounded nice but it certainly is not warm sounding. It sounded brighter than my AVA DAC which I brought along for comparison. The Vega had nice detail and was smoother than my DAC but the Vega's bass is lacking a little and the textures to vocals was about the same. My AVA DAC was warmer and a little darker than the Vega in this system and my AVA DAC has never sounded warm or dark which has me concerned on how the Vega would sound in my system. I am going to take the Vega home for a week sometime in June.

I am now considering the Luxman a-06 DAC. I may have to trade a little detail for a warmer, more romantic sound with the Luxman. I like the tone of the Hugo Chord but it is lacking too much detail and smooths things over too much for my tastes. I have not yet heard a Lampi but hope to in the several days.

By the way, has any one heard or owned the Luxman?

Larry
 
The reviews of the BMC Pure DAC seem to fit what you are looking for or maybe a Metrum Hex. As well thought of as the Vega, but a little different sound. Also if the W4S you heard was just the plain DAC-2 like I have and need to have upgraded, the DAC-2 DSD SE is supposed to be completely different.
 
Mechnutt said:
Well I am sorry to say that the Cary is being taken back. It was not my cup of tea. The texture of vocals and instruments sounded very similar to my well aging Van Alstine Hybrid tube DAC (which is a testament as to how good the several year old AVA dac is). The SS section of the Cary is better than the tube. The SS has a full, rich midrange with well controlled tight bass with nice air in the high frequencies like cymbals. The tube output stage had a lighter, airy sound to the midrange. It definitely needs some vintage 12Au7 tubes instead of the Electro-Harmoinix tubes. Both the SS and tube stages are very smooth, more so than my current DAC. My AVA DAC has better attack on stings and piano along with more punch to bass and drums. It also has a wider sound stage than the Cary. I let in burn if for 4 days continuously. It's not that I did not like the DAC, it is just that it did not wow me, and that my AVA DAC did some things better. It was not a good match for my system and at $4K it should sound much better than my current DAC. I am sure some people will like it. The Cary has nice features and its build quality is excellent. It weighs over 25lbs.

I got to hear an Auralic Vega DAC on a system that was over $100K. It was connected to a VTL preamp, VTL 450wpc tube monoblocks, Rockport Technologies Avior speakers. The system also included a $45K phono preamp, Vitus DAC and Brinkman TT.

The Vega sounded nice but it certainly is not warm sounding. It sounded brighter than my AVA DAC which I brought along for comparison. The Vega had nice detail and was smoother than my DAC but the Vega's bass is lacking a little and the textures to vocals was about the same. My AVA DAC was warmer and a little darker than the Vega in this system and my AVA DAC has never sounded warm or dark which has me concerned on how the Vega would sound in my system. I am going to take the Vega home for a week sometime in June.

I am now considering the Luxman a-06 DAC. I may have to trade a little detail for a warmer, more romantic sound with the Luxman. I like the tone of the Hugo Chord but it is lacking too much detail and smooths things over too much for my tastes. I have not yet heard a Lampi but hope to in the several days.

By the way, has any one heard or owned the Luxman?

Larry
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I have an aquantence local here in Minneapolis Area that has the Luxman DA-06.
If you are a member on Audio Aficionado, you can get in touch with him. He is very nice and I am sure would accommodate a visit. Let me know and I can get in touch with him if you would like. I was not impressed with the Auralic Vega either for what it is worth. Sounded very "up sampled" in my opinion.
 
Bavarian, I am a new member of Audio Aficionado. I go by the same name, Mechnutt. I would greatly appreciate the contact info. By the way, congrats on the Bricasti. Awesome DAC. It makes digital very easy to listen too.

Thanks,

Larry
 
Mechnutt said:
Bavarian, I am a new member of Audio Aficionado. I go by the same name, Mechnutt. I would greatly appreciate the contact info. By the way, congrats on the Bricasti. Awesome DAC. It makes digital very easy to listen too.

Thanks,

Larry
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Look up "Audio Badger"
His name is Paul and is a very nice guy.
If you are new member, you may not be able to private message yet.
Let me know if I can assist.
 
Jack, I heard the W4S DAC2 DSDse with the Femto clock upgrade. It is an amazing DAC. I found it extremely musical, dynamic and fun to listen too. Bass from this DAC in my system was crazy good. It rattled all my windows. I really like it but it can sound a little digital. It is still on my list of DAC to consider. A friend of mine has one for sale since he bought a Hugo Chord.
 
Bavarian, this would not be the same Paul as the owner of- Products Where I heard the Hugo. He sells the Luxman but did not have one in stock.
 
Mechnutt said:
I am looking for a new DAC and need help choosing one. There are limited choices for high end DAC's here in the Twin Cities. I am looking for a DAC in the $2500-$3200 price range, new or used that has an ANALOG SOUND that leans slightly on the WARMER side that does not accentuate SIBILANTS. I prefer a sound that has a little bit of midrange BLOOM and that is NOT FORWARD.

I just purchased a Marantz NA-11s1 and while it has a lot of great qualities the sound is not for me as it is too forward in my system so I will be returning it.

I have auditioned the Hugo Chord- nice analog and warmer sound, lacking some crispness on attack and not enough detail. The Wyred 4 Sound DAC2 DSDse with femto clock- not analog enough and it can accentuate sibilant recordings a bit.

I am considering a Cary Audio 100t but it does not do DSD.

I am curious about PS Audio and Auralic DAC's.

Much Thanks,

Larry
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If I may recommend something, is to increase a little bit your budget and purchase the M1 Bricasti. This DAC is F O R M I D A B LE ! Make a try and you will be cooked. I have one and it is the best I never heard before.
 
Stringreen said:
Check out the Ayre Dac......and be floored
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I didn't care for the overall sound of the Ayre and also wanted more than only USB input options. Just my experience. It has been well reviewed. They use a different USB method than most.
 
Bavarian05 said:
I didn't care for the overall sound of the Ayre and also wanted more than only USB input options. Just my experience. It has been well reviewed. They use a different USB method than most.
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I need coax or optical in as a well as USB. I have a huge CD collection and use my CD player as a transport.

Bavarian, check your messages
 
Larry

Another option to explore is the Nuprime DAC-10. It is the upgrade of the very well reviewed Nuforce DAC-9. It can be bought either with or without the headphone amp module at different price points.

This one of the reviews of the DAC-9

SoundStage! Ultra | SoundStageUltra.com (UltraAudio.com) | SoundStage! Ultra | SoundStageUltra.com (UltraAudio.com)

Since the DAC-10 is now in stock at Audio Advisor you get the option of trying it out for 30 days and sending it back if not up your alley As it only weighs a little of 10 lbs. shipping back to Grand Rapids, Michigan shouldn't be much.

NuPrime DAC 10 DAC-Audio Advisor

I intend to try one later in the summer before I send the DAC-2 back to W4S for upgrading.
 
Jack said:
The reviews of the BMC Pure DAC seem to fit what you are looking for or maybe a Metrum Hex. As well thought of as the Vega, but a little different sound. Also if the W4S you heard was just the plain DAC-2 like I have and need to have upgraded, the DAC-2 DSD SE is supposed to be completely different.
Click to expand...

Yes, I also heard that this represents good value for the price! Nice looking too.

Its balanced out too, but with only one torroid, so not sure if its TRULY internally balanced:

Many products have “fake” balanced circuits: with balancing signal transformers or by op-amp signal cloners.
 
I was able to compare my AVA DAC to an Auralic Vega in a $100K system about 2 weeks ago and I was not impressed with the Vega. It sounded good but it was not a huge step up from my AVA DAC. The Vega was brighter and a little more detailed but had less bass slam. The AVA DAC was warmer and darker and more pleasing to listen too. The Vega would be too bright in my system.

An acquaintance is going to bring over his Luxman DA-06 DAC for me to hear. I have high hopes. I also recently go to hear a Lampi Amber in a friends system. It sounded very good although I would like to hear it in my system.
 
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