DAC Suggestions Please!

M

Mechnutt

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Nov 18, 2013
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1,432
Location
Minnesota
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
 
Larry - it's a little more, but we have a member selling his Lumin A1 for a deaf price. Just a thought....


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Larry - you may also want to consider a Lampizator Amber DAC. That being said, I'm not sure the Borg can assimilate anymore this week after assimilating me. [emoji41]


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Cmalak, I wrote a review of the Comet and did a DAC shootout with it. Exogal is about 20 minutes away and Jeff the CEO let me have one for 30 days. It is a very nice unit. It is not the sound I am looking for. It has a very airy, transparent and 3D-holographic sound, almost like surround sound as a couple of my friends commented. The sound stage is huge-tall, wide and deep. It almost sounds like I am listening to Martin Logan's in my system. I could live with it but we all preferred the lush sound of the Hugo Chord. I prefer a heavier midrange, bass and more warmth than the Comet gives. The Comet does have a nice midrange bloom though. If you are wanting to add some air and transparency to you system, the Comet would be an excellent choice.

I am going to Axpona and hope to hear a few DAC's and I will make a decision after that. I am also considering a Cary 200ts which allows you to switch between SS and tube stages. It too is more than I want to spend but I may be able to get a very good deal on one.

DAC-200ts Digital to Analog Converter | Cary Audio

The Lumin looks good but is more than I want to spend. The wifey would not be too happy right now with me looking at buying a new luxury sport sedan or coupe and tuition payments around the corner.
 
Depending on the price range you are looking in, either the BMC PureDac or UltraDac fits the sound you are looking for.
 
Based on your listening preferences I recommend checking out the EAR dac.
 
Given the price range...
Lampi Amber dac (probably the meatiest of the lot) ($2500)
BMC PureDac ($2k)
Chord Qute2 with Uptone or Hynes LPSU ($2300 with LPSU)
Used DStream (circa $3k)
The new Schitt Yggdrasil ($2300)
 
I returned my Marantz 11s1 and have narrowed my DAC search down to the PS Audio Direct Stream, Auralic Vega and the newly released Cary Audio 200ts with switch on the fly Tube and SS output stages.

Has anyone heard both the Vega and the PS Audio (with the v.1.2.1 software)? I was curious as to how they compare in sound. I like the fact that the Vega has multiple filters after hearing the difference in filters on the Marantz.

Thanks,

Larry
 
Larry - that Cary DAC-200ts certainly looks like a very interesting candidate! Supposedly it has been shipping for a few weeks, have you been able to get any feedback on it from any dealers or early adopters yet? Their new 600 series CD players have been shipping a bit longer and use very similar circuitry, so you might be able to get some feedback on them before the 200ts. I've been searching for any related posts about them but haven't been able to find anything yet. Good luck with your search!
 
Of those choices, I would lean toward the Cary tube DAC too.


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The more I read about the Cary DAC-200ts the more interested I become. It uses multiple new AKM DACs in parallel configuration, supports all digital resolutions up to quad-DSD, and has selectable tube or solid state output. Best of all it retails for only $3,995. Has anyone actually heard one yet? Unfortunately they were not represented at AXPONA or we might have seen some reports on it.
 
Machnutt.......You may want to give some consideration to the Wyred 4 Sound DAC 2 DSDse at $2549.00. A good friend of mine has the DAC 2 and the DAC 2 DSDse. He says the DAC 2 DSDse is an astonishing sounding DAC that outperforms its sibling by a good margin.

https://wyred4sound.com/products/dacs/dac-2-series



DAC-2%20DSDse%20Feature_0.jpg
 
I am leaning to the Cary and the Vega. I talked to a couple of guys that were at a private DAC shoot out with the Cary, the Bricasti and a couple of others. The guy that put on the shoot out is a dealer of both. They said that the Cary came close in sound to the Bricasati. Unfortunately there are no Cary dealers here in the Twin Cities. The Cary with the option of using either the SS or Tube output stages is very appealing. I am hoping a review comes out soon. I talked with Cary and the have some out for reviews.

I like the Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 DSDse with the Femto clock. I trialed a friends in my system and it sounded very good but a little clinical.
 
M2Tech Young DSD DAC with the M2TECH - VAN DER GRAAF Power supply. Amazing in it's price range, with great flexibility.
 
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