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

Ritmo

Ritmo

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 6, 2013
Messages
3,968
Location
Florida
All,

Todays digital audio space is moving faster than ever. Excellent sounding DACs are hitting the market regularly. I thought it we would be great to share what AS members would consider to be the better performers at various price points.

I suggest these price points (see below).

Less than $5K: ARC DAC8, Bryston DA2, Esoteric D-07X, Ayre QB-09, ...

$5K to $10k: MSB Analog, Bricasti, Berkeley DAC2,...

$10K to $20K: DCS Debussy, EMM DAC2X,...

$20K+: Esoteric D-02, MSB Platinum IV Plus and Diamond, DCS Vivaldi, ...

Look forward to your comments!

PS - The list above is not a complete list...just intended to start the dialog.
 
In the less than 5K category I would put in the Wavelength Cosecant and Brick. They may be limited by their USB only input and may not be the latest greatest thing, but they are so musical and rich sounding that they deserve some recognition.
 
Mike,

You are really high on the Marantz. How does it compare with the EMM DAC2X you have?

Thx!
 
Ritmo said:
Mike,

You are really high on the Marantz. How does it compare with the EMM DAC2X you have?

Thx!
Click to expand...

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!
 
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.
 
Ritmo said:
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.
Click to expand...

Mike - they sound very different. The Marantz is more relaxed, smoother and offers an abundance of more features including either USB or Ethernet interface.

The DAC2X offer a higher resolution, but to me, isn't as smooth as the Marantz.

I would compare them to a tweeter. Some speakers offer more detail, but after a while can sound bright.

Others offer a smoother approach (rolled off?), but lack some of the uber detail.

Pick your poison depending on your speakers and rest of your gear. ;)

FWIW - the Linn Klimax DS I heard offered both smoothness and detail without fatigue. I still want to audition the DCS Debussy and others as well.

Mike
 
While I haven't listened to great deal of the DACs discussed I have listened to many digital sources over the years and the Mytek 24/192 DSD DAC is a very strong value in the under 2k range besting an ARC DAC 8 and McIntosh MCD1100 in my system.
 
I have the Bryston BDA2 in my two channel system. It replaced the BDA1. The BDA2 seems to remove a digital haze from the music. You really don't know this haze exists with the BDA1 until it is gone.
 
Bel Canto DAC 3.5VB MKII with the Bel Canto REF VBS1 VB Regulated Power Supply for 5K plus.
This is what I have plus the Bel Canto REFLink Asynchronous USB Converter. A world class reference play back.
 
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top