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This will be the first DAC I own. My current set up is Musical Paradise MP301 integrated tube amp and Axiom M3 bookshelves. From what I've read about these speakers for the most part they're considered fairly neural (slightly warm) and resolving of what's upstream from them. I'm not looking for an overly warm DAC or an "analog" sounding DAC, I think already get that from the tubes and I have a separate LP set up if I want that kind of sound. For the most part I just want a DAC that will be accurate to the original recording. I don't mind slightly warm or even slightly bright, but I don't think I want another tube DAC for example.
I don't listen through headphones so no use for DACs that have a headphone amp (mp301 already has that covered). If the DAC is good and happens to offer that feature, that's fine, but I don't want to be paying extra for something I won't use. Price is a consideration, if I can save a couple hundred $ to spend elsewhere like on cables or a power conditioner that's great too.
I will be listening about 50/50 between spotify and flac files through foobar > wasapi PCM > DAC. I don't care for DSD support as I don't have anything in that format.
I've narrowed down my options to the following DACs (listed in order of preference), prices in CAD as that's where I'm located (these are based on what I've seen online through various audiomarts).
I'm wondering if anyone can chime in and help me make a choice. Any help appreciated!
New Schiit Bifrost 4490 - ~$600CAD (when you count shipping and duties) - this is my first choice primarily because it seems to get glowing reviews online, the DAC is considered accurate and neutral which sounds like it would pair well with the rest of my system. It's also the least expensive DAC on the list (and the only one I can afford new). There's also the option in the future for upgrades from Schiit or to move to multibit (I'm sort of ruling out multibit to start as I'm not entirely sold on the benefit vs. 4490 for the extra $300CAD that it would cost me and I've heard that it adds a warmer more tube like tone to the DAC which I'm not necessarily looking for)
Used Benchmark DAC1 HDR - ~$800CAD - second choice because in the past it seems to have been the "benchmark" for DACs around $1k, my concern is how quickly technology becomes obsolete and whether something that was considered state of the art 3-4 years ago would still outperform a Bifrost for example. It's also a bit more expensive. From what I read it seems to produce the kind of sound I'm looking for and I like that I have the option of using it as pre-amp in the future (I have a pair of SS mono block amps that eventually I want to put together into a separate stereo system and it would be nice to re-purpose the DAC1 for that a couple years down the road)
Used Ayre Q-9 (non DSD) - $800CAD - I've heard amazing reviews of this unit, but same as the DAC1 above, I'm just worried that I'll be paying more for arguably obsolete tech..although again, I don't know how quickly DAC tech changes, it seems like a lot of DACs from 10 years ago are still relevant today, so maybe it doesn't change that much at all
Tied for last choice (Used Matrix X-Sabre - $700CAD, Used Teac UD-501 - $600CAD, Used Audiolab M-DAC - $650)
Thanks!
I don't listen through headphones so no use for DACs that have a headphone amp (mp301 already has that covered). If the DAC is good and happens to offer that feature, that's fine, but I don't want to be paying extra for something I won't use. Price is a consideration, if I can save a couple hundred $ to spend elsewhere like on cables or a power conditioner that's great too.
I will be listening about 50/50 between spotify and flac files through foobar > wasapi PCM > DAC. I don't care for DSD support as I don't have anything in that format.
I've narrowed down my options to the following DACs (listed in order of preference), prices in CAD as that's where I'm located (these are based on what I've seen online through various audiomarts).
I'm wondering if anyone can chime in and help me make a choice. Any help appreciated!
New Schiit Bifrost 4490 - ~$600CAD (when you count shipping and duties) - this is my first choice primarily because it seems to get glowing reviews online, the DAC is considered accurate and neutral which sounds like it would pair well with the rest of my system. It's also the least expensive DAC on the list (and the only one I can afford new). There's also the option in the future for upgrades from Schiit or to move to multibit (I'm sort of ruling out multibit to start as I'm not entirely sold on the benefit vs. 4490 for the extra $300CAD that it would cost me and I've heard that it adds a warmer more tube like tone to the DAC which I'm not necessarily looking for)
Used Benchmark DAC1 HDR - ~$800CAD - second choice because in the past it seems to have been the "benchmark" for DACs around $1k, my concern is how quickly technology becomes obsolete and whether something that was considered state of the art 3-4 years ago would still outperform a Bifrost for example. It's also a bit more expensive. From what I read it seems to produce the kind of sound I'm looking for and I like that I have the option of using it as pre-amp in the future (I have a pair of SS mono block amps that eventually I want to put together into a separate stereo system and it would be nice to re-purpose the DAC1 for that a couple years down the road)
Used Ayre Q-9 (non DSD) - $800CAD - I've heard amazing reviews of this unit, but same as the DAC1 above, I'm just worried that I'll be paying more for arguably obsolete tech..although again, I don't know how quickly DAC tech changes, it seems like a lot of DACs from 10 years ago are still relevant today, so maybe it doesn't change that much at all
Tied for last choice (Used Matrix X-Sabre - $700CAD, Used Teac UD-501 - $600CAD, Used Audiolab M-DAC - $650)
Thanks!
