New DAC Time, Please Help!!

R

Remi

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Hello All,

I am in need of a new DAC and need some helpful insights. It will serve as a source for a Luxman 590AXii and B&W 802D3's. I particularly like bass (a lot) and a tube-like midrange. The highs are not as important. I have heard a DCS Bartok, and it is not my cup of tea! I am considering anything. I am intrigued by the Lumin X1 & new P1, also the MSB Discrete. I have not ruled out an Audio Note tube DAC (most likely the 2.1 signature balanced, streamer TBD) or any of the Bricasti offerings. My head is spinning because of the choices. A DAC/streamer makes things simple, but the Audio Note route requires a streamer (Lumin U1mini or Aurender N200 - this requires another post to debate). I do not do Roon, but I am not opposed to it with the inclusion of a Nucleus. Please help with your journeys and experiences!

Thanks.
 
I'm biased towards the X1 of course as I'm very happy with mine, but the Mola Mola Tambaqui might be worth a look/listen as well. It gets good reviews (although what doesn't) and from all accounts it seems to fulfill your requirements.
 
The X1 and Audio Note (I've had the 2.1 and 4.1) are the DACs I've appreciated the most, of what I've had and what I've heard.
 
I know I am biased; I do suggest at least considering the T+A products. I am thrilled with my DAC which was recently replaced in their lineup. It was out for years and was always listed in Stereophiles top rated products along with many other publications recommended products. T+A is designed and built in Germany and have high ratings on all their products, but the DACs usually get especially high reviews.

T+A takes a unique approaching separating PCM and DSD signals on the input and processing them through completely separate paths. PCM is considering very good (one of the best), but if you like DSD you should very much check out their offerings. Many sources put them in a category by themselves when decoding DSD signals, where they use 1-bit processing that was developed in house. Their current DACs all go up to DSD1024.

HQPlayer fans (such as myself) rave about T+A. One of my audio club friends, who has by far the highest-level system in our group recently picked up a T+A DAC/SACD player. He replaced a high end dCS and is thrilled with the difference. Our club president told me he was shocked at how much better the T+A was. Because of occurrences over the past couple years, we have all been limited at hosting meetings, etc., so I have not personally heard his.

Our club president has been trying to get my to sell him my T+A, but he realizes it is pretty much a futile effort :).
 
Aqua La Scala MK II sounds good with my Lux C900u -- perhaps preferable to the built-in DAC in the Lux D08u (don't ask me to compare -- I'm terrible at describing that stuff). While the c900u/m900u architecture isn't precisely the same as your integrated, there may still be enough similarity to make it worth a try. The Aqua has a pair of ECC81 tubes that can be rolled.
Bass isn't always the province of the DAC. Back when I had an EMM DAC2X, a more robust PC greatly enhanced the DAC's drive. And one of the biggest bass enhancements I ever heard came from a freakin' change in Ethernet cords.
 
You did not give price range: I am fan of DACs
< 10K: Holo audio may KTE, Chord Dave, Esoteric N-05XD
10-20K: Mola Mola Tambaqui, Rockna Wavedream, Aqua XHD Rev 2, MSB discrete, Esoteric N-01XD, Lumin X1, Berkley Ref 3
> 20K: Aries Cerat Kassandra, Esoteric K-01XD, MSB premier, DCS rossini, ideon absolute, EMM DA2

Nothing is best. All about preference. I love esoteric. Now, I am going to Aries Cerat Kassandra.
Good luck
 
You say "I am considering anything." Does that mean price is not a limitation? Larry
 
Pretty soon you will have just about every DAC made noted in this thread. I suggest you pick your dealer(s) of choice and give what they have a listen. if you have a relationship with them i am sure you will be able to bring one or two home to try out in "your" set-up. I'm sure you will find one that does what you want and willb e able to live with for several years.
 
I've had Audio Note and although nice to listen to it was on the Romantic side, good for vocals and small ensembles I didn't like it for Rock or other more dynamic music.

My taste is Bricasti, love what they do. I've only heard the DAC, no experience with their streaming capability.
 
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