AudiogoN Forums: Best Player or DAC: ceiling $3k

Best Player or DAC: ceiling $3k

My primary system: Stax Omega Headphones with Stax 007 balanced tube headphone amp.I plan to use balanced interconnects. I listen to a wide variety of music. I am looking to buy a the best digital source without going much over $3000, though no need to go that high. I live in the hinterlands and cannot audition anything. Therefore, I am left to interpret the interpreters.I am unlikely to get into SACD,etc. My candidates on the used market:
-Kora Hermes II
-Balanced Audio Technology
-Audio Note Balanced 3.1
-Theta Gen V Balanced
-Meridian 508.24
-(New)- The Lector
Thanks

Briansteffy (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

05-22-04

Responses (1-17 of 17)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

05-23-04 I still really like the emc-1 up. Subaruguru

05-23-04 What is "the lector"? Tomryan

05-23-04 The lector (sp.) is discussed here. absolute sound gave it a ... Briansteffy

05-23-04 You're going to have to take a shot in the dark if auditioni ... Tvad

05-24-04 Resolution audio opus 21 (new). suggest a demo. trial from ... Mrmb

05-24-04: Michaelhwolff
I second Mrmb's input on the Opus 21. Have had one now for 3 weeks in my system. Completely beautiful sounding. IMO, much better than anything I've heard for twice the price.
Only thing that could need improvement is the remote, but that's no biggy.

Best, Michael Wolff
Michaelhwolff (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

07-25-04 Try msb tech their gold link iii is good but the platium ser ... Robertbrown

07-26-04 Simple one, resolution audio opus 21. if you have no local ... Fatcataudio

07-26-04 You may include the chord dac 64 in your list. audiogon-memb ... Hassel

07-26-04 For stock dac's, the electro ecd-1. great out of the box, b ... Audioengr

07-26-04 I'm sure the above recommendations are great, but i'll throw ... Labtec

07-26-04 One thing to consider... pick up a used wadia - 861 if you c ... Mdconnelly

07-27-04 I put my vote in for the resolution opus 21 as well. i've h ... Omains

07-27-04 Gamut cd1 upsamples at 2x the speed of sacd very smooth soun ... Jcvr777

08-11-04 My gamut cd1r is amazing, my friends meridian 508.24 (which ... Cytocycle

08-12-04 Go for the audio note if your taste runs toward non-upsample ... Douglikesaudio

08-12-04 After owning many top shelf front ends...levinson ref, wadia ... Dave_b