Which DAC ~$2k?

Which DAC ~$2k

  • Total voters
    16
It's an awesome dac. No reason to dismiss it. It does nothing wrong and sounds great. Does dsd and auto-switching.


Mechnutt said:
Here is a Tube DAC with replaceable caps that I would love to try-

http://www.musicalparadise.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=80


There are some excellent user reviews on it. I like the fact that the Caps are held in place with screws so you can roll the caps as well as the tubes. I would love to try some Jupiter caps in it although the stock Obbligato Golds are excellent and cost about $28 a piece and there are 4 of them. I just may have to buy one to tinker with.
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Unlike the ESS based DACs I have the MP and the Aqua are more similar in signature that different. Where the MP has the advantage is the ability to tune the final signature with the tube and capacitor swaps if you want. If not buying it stock is still a great solution. I haven't gotten to cap changes yet as I happen to like the Obligatto's but I have tried over a dozen different tube types from the 6dj8, 7dj8 and 12au7 families. That is in addition to the stock 6H6 tubes and their family companion the EH gold pin 6H30 that ARC uses. To me they all had positive qualities except the 6H30. Not my cup of tea at all. The Jupiter Cu seems like a good compromise between the Obligatto and the Mundorf and I will eventually give them a try. If you told me I could only keep one of the two between the Aqua and the MP, I would keep the MP. It has the more "liquid" presentation to my ears.

I will have an Oppo Sonica in to try tomorrow so it will be interesting to see the difference between the 9018 and 9038 chipsets.
 
Jack said:
Unlike the ESS based DACs I have the MP and the Aqua are more similar in signature that different. Where the MP has the advantage is the ability to tune the final signature with the tube and capacitor swaps if you want. If not buying it stock is still a great solution. I haven't gotten to cap changes yet as I happen to like the Obligatto's but I have tried over a dozen different tube types from the 6dj8, 7dj8 and 12au7 families. That is in addition to the stock 6H6 tubes and their family companion the EH gold pin 6H30 that ARC uses. To me they all had positive qualities except the 6H30. Not my cup of tea at all. The Jupiter Cu seems like a good compromise between the Obligatto and the Mundorf and I will eventually give them a try. If you told me I could only keep one of the two between the Aqua and the MP, I would keep the MP. It has the more "liquid" presentation to my ears.

I will have an Oppo Sonica in to try tomorrow so it will be interesting to see the difference between the 9018 and 9038 chipsets.
Click to expand...

Wow Jack, you are all DACed out! Nice.
 
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