New DAC

Ritmo

Ritmo

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Well, I'm considering the next upgrade. I've upgraded speakers, amp and cables over the last 6 months. I'm thinking next step is the DAC.


While the ARC DAC8 has been reliable and very flexible, the time to upgrade this DAC is near.


I'm considering:

- Bricasti M1
- New Berkeley Ref
- EMM DAC2X
- MSB Sig DACIV Plus

Any other recommendations?


Thx!

PS - Would have considered the Lumin if it had digital inputs...
 
Mike - I would wait until after Munich to see the latest announcements.

Second, what's your thoughts around the digital inputs? For a transport?

My gut feeling is an Esoteric if you still want a spinner (or MCD1100) and a black Lumin! The Esoteric/MCD1100 both have digital inputs for anything you could need.


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Mike,

Not in a rush. Plan to do later this year.

Good suggestion on the Esoteric. My K-05 has adequate inputs for the Apple TV which I use for internet radio.

I can simplify things with a Lumin...:cool:
 
I can stream Spotify, YouTube, you name it - all to the Lumin from my iPad via airplay. It doesn't suck sonically either.




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Mike...looks like you are looking in the $8-$15ishK range from your selections. If you are planning on using the K-05 as a spinner/source and want to retain ability to play SACDs thru it via the new DAC, then as Mike said, the D-03 or even D-02 should be considered.

Other options to consider, the new Nagra DAC looks amazing. Playback Designs should be a contender. dCS is always in the mix. And if you want to go big there has been a lot of talk about the Trinity DAC but significantly above the range you are thinking about.

For a more analog sound and at the lower end of your budget are the MSB Analog DAC, the new EAR DAC + spinner 2 box combo with DSD support. But these will be likely more different vs. significantly better than the DAC-8 you already have.

Good luck.
 
I still think streamers are the way to go, but if not, I would seriously look at the EAR DACute 4 combo. Tube CD and DAC.

I believe David has tried them. Maybe he will chime in here.


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Cyril,

This stuff gets crazy expensive if not careful. Specially on technology that is moving very fast. That is why I'm drawing the line at around $15k.

The MSB Analog is not in the running, pricey for what it is after the upgraded power supply and inputs, and, it is not even a balanced DAC.

To be honest, Bricasti is a terrific DAC and I consider it to be a front runner for what I'm trying to do. But, Mike's suggestion is very interesting and worth considering.
 
Cyril,

The Playback Designs is also in the running - great point. Call me crazy but I may consider the Esoteric D-02 or even the DCS Vivaldi - but that would be a hell of a stretch (not the stack - just the DAC).

Thx again!
 
Mike, The AMR DP-777 is a great DAC. Their upgraded SE model is due out this month. It will be in the $5500 range. No DSD yet, though.
 
All good options guys. That's what I mean with the rapid development and innovation in this space.

Not interested in a CD/SACD player. I'm quite happy with my Eso K-05 which I use only about 20% of the time. A terrific transport with the very good AKM chipset.

I use the Bryston BDP-2 most of the time with the ARC DAC8.

Thx!
 
Mike,
If the DCS is on your list, i'd also suggest comparing the ch precision c1.
Chris
 
Lampizator Level 7 with DSD128.
PS Audio DirectStreamCalyx Femto Dac
TotalDac
Cad Dac
Chord Hugo
Berkeley Alpha 2

That would be my order of preference for others to consider. The reports of the L7 I have received are off the chain (and especially for "chipless" DSD). The DirectStream is VERY intriguing as is the Hugo (which is tiny though).

For $15K you can buy a L7+Hugo and still have change left over!

I also like the (new upgraded) AMR and the Bricasti suggestions you already have. Lumin is a great value streaming choice as Mike and Mark said, but I guess you can also get that functionality with a Auralic Aries ($1K) and a bespoke DAC.

Lampi L7 feedback from Axpona:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrmbTDbvHPA

Watch from minute 21:30 onwards.

Also, Stereophile was very positive:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/vapor-audio-purity-lampizator
​
​
Positive Feedback Online

April 26

HIghlights of the room were the new 18 wpc 300 B based Purity Audio amplifiers and Ultra Series preamplifier, the Level 7 Lampizator DAC (with choice of output stage featuring either 45, 2A3 or 300B tubes) and the new Vapor Audio Derecho speakers. Sound was very relaxed and un-digital like for the show (in other words, didn't feel like a laser beam was drilling through my head). Far more information coming through this digital based system than any other rooms heard on the opening day.

Lampi DSD review:
http://stereomojo.com/Lampizator DSD DAC Review/LampizatorDSDDACReview.htm
 
Ritmo said:
Well, I'm considering the next upgrade. I've upgraded speakers, amp and cables over the last 6 months. I'm thinking next step is the DAC.


While the ARC DAC8 has been reliable and very flexible, the time to upgrade this DAC is near.


I'm considering:

- Bricasti M1
- New Berkeley Ref
- EMM DAC2X
- MSB Sig DACIV Plus

Any other recommendations?


Thx!

PS - Would have considered the Lumin if it had digital inputs...
Click to expand...

You already know my recommendation :snicker:
 
Mike - the new ModWright Elyse DAC will be in full production in June and will be worth your consideration as well.
 
Ritmo said:
Yes, I do!
Click to expand...

I'd upgrade from K-05 & the ARC Dac 8 to the K-01, make sure you're seated when you have everything hooked up & are ready to rip. Wouldn't take much to take the Bryston BDP-2 with you & hook it up to a K-01.
 
I'll throw my two cents in here, I have had just about all the major contenders through here at one time or another. MSB, DCS etc. All except the Trinity. If you partial to the Bricasti, that's an excellent one at the price. The company is doing a really good job with keeping it updated as well. Best bang for the buck is the Auralic. State of the Art is the Light Harmonic. Your instincts on keeping the price reasonable since these products are changing quickly, I concur with 100%.
 
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