Today's Best DACs at various price points...

Imho at less than 5k, nothing beats a used McIntosh MDA1000. Just have to add a USB to SPDIF converter if you're into computer audio and Voilà !
Actually me and Jean Marc compared the MDA side by side direct with same cables to the MSB Platinum Dac IV and :
- blind test : about 12 times, I was able to pick the MDA and never was mistaken
- we both preferred the musicality of the MDA by a large margin.
So I truly believe that the MDA could hold its place against many other very high end pieces....
At around 4k used, the MDA is for sure the best dac money can buy and the best bargain in digital audio.

I also would agree with you on the MDA1000 Jerome..
 
+1! I can't believe the transformation this DAC has made on my system. It was exactly what I was looking for (detail, focus, but still somehow smoooooooth).

Everything I have read about that thing makes me want one. It's on my list for upgrades next year, but then my "all US made" system will not be :(

Is it made in the UK at least? Or China?
 
It's made in England.

I think I can live with that! Getting a vpi classic one turntable this week...so I'll be pretty close to all US made except my mac mini and NAD CD player (which I don't really use).

But if the AMR is that good, maybe I should get one. I'll wait until their next gen model. The technology just keeps getting better.
 
Mike,

Once in a while a an affordable audio gem hits the market. Sounds like this Marantz is one of those gems - great sound at a low price.

BTW, it is quite an accomplishment for the Marantz to be that good vs. the very well reviewed EMM DAC2X.

+1 I heard the Linn Klimax in a friends system a few weeks ago. Linn Klimax DS into Linn Mono blocks to Vivid speakers and the sound was terrific. We compared to my MSB Dac IV driving his Linn Mono Blocks, level matched and both were excellent with subtle differences and certainly on the same level of audio fidelity. I wish I could say my Dac IV stepped all over the Klimax DS but alas that was not the case :)
 
In the $5k category I'm loving the AMR DP-777 :audiophile:

I was super impressed when I had the AMR DP-777. It's my go to recommendation when friends ask me for dacs $5,000 and under. Very analog yet doesn't give up much detail and can serve as a preamplifier with its analog inputs.
 
I was super impressed when I had the AMR DP-777. It's my go to recommendation when friends ask me for dacs $5,000 and under. Very analog yet doesn't give up much detail and can serve as a preamplifier with its analog inputs.

And what, pray tell, wooed you away from such a fair maiden?
 
It seems like to me that Linn (if you don't want to mess with USB/computers - other than for the initial rip or download) or MSB or DCS are tops.....maybe Meitner in there too. But with great products from AMR, Auralic and others....the DAC race is as hot as ever.
 
And what, pray tell, wooed you away from such a fair maiden?

Haha, a very expensive fair maiden. I already had the MSB Dac IV and with the recent dac developments went on a quest to find a cheaper replacement. To my personal preferences I would have to say the AMR DP-777 came the closest.
 
I was super impressed when I had the AMR DP-777. It's my go to recommendation when friends ask me for dacs $5,000 and under. Very analog yet doesn't give up much detail and can serve as a preamplifier with its analog inputs.

I've been running the AMR DP-777 straight into my amps via XLR and I'm pretty happy with it :D
 
It seems like to me that Linn (if you don't want to mess with USB/computers - other than for the initial rip or download) or MSB or DCS are tops.....maybe Meitner in there too. But with great products from AMR, Auralic and others....the DAC race is as hot as ever.

Don't forget Naim. Pref is the only dif w Linn.
 
I like the Marantz better. I compared both - same everything (just a different input on my preamp) for over two weeks. The Marantz is one smooth operator. The DAC2X has more detail....but at a cost. The Marantz is more "analog" like.

I know I'm a bit of a pioneer with it. I bought it the second it was available just based on specs alone. I'm glad I did.

When the reviews come out in a month or so, raving about this little unit, lets just say, I won't be surprised. The NA11S1 is a brilliant little unit. It makes my digital quite delightful.

I'm sure there are better performers for the likes of Linn and DCS, but I'm pleased with the NA11S1 - for now - until I hear something better. :)

FWIW - my friends Meitner MA-1 sounded better than my DAC2X. If I was buying today, I would be zeroing in on that baby on my short list.

.....I do have the DCS Debussy and the Linn Klimax DS on my radar too. Klimax. What a name!

Alright now Mike, you stop that! You have me looking at the Marantz NA11S1, but I'll never get one, but you keep making me look at it.:P I'm more in need of a new receiver (and additional amp) though. Yes, I'm eyeing the big heavy Marantz ones!:D My Marantz CD player made me look at the rest of their stuff and if their receivers are anything like the CD player I'm looking at a good one. Hmm, I wonder what the DAC setup is in their receivers. I need to contact Marantz:D However, I'm about 15 months away from having the funds, so I best wait till I'm closer. The DAC in the CD5004 is the best of all the DACs I've had in the many CD players I've had and even DVD players! The only thing that comes close is the DAC in my Logitech Squeezebox Touch, but it's still slightly second to the one in the CD5004. Of course, none of my DACs do that 96/24 thing, but then again, I don't have any need for it.
 
I think I can live with that! Getting a vpi classic one turntable this week...so I'll be pretty close to all US made except my mac mini and NAD CD player (which I don't really use).

But if the AMR is that good, maybe I should get one. I'll wait until their next gen model. The technology just keeps getting better.

Has there been any news on this? The last I heard there was possibly going to be a DSD update for the 777, which makes me think there may not be a new one coming very soon. But ya never know...
 
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