Definitely consider the ps audio perfectwave MKII. |
I love my North Star Dac32. There is a demo model on Audiogon now. |
There is a Yamamoto YDA-01 available used here now. These rarely come up for sale, and are excellent. You can read the 6moons review for details. An incredible DAC. Beauty to look at too... |
And as an addendum to my Yamamoto recommendation, I would also suggest that you don't get too caught up in just the DAC chip used in a DAC (though these are important and will affect the sound). Do not forget the importance of a great power supply and a great analog output stage. |
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Are there even any reviews of the new Oppo out there? Only been out a week. And judging by the improvements offered by ModWright, the power supply and analog output stages can be improved to a considerable degree.
Not that it doesn't look awesome. But if the OP is looking just for a DAC, then I'd go with a dedicated DAC where money isn't spent on headphone outputs, video circuitry and a transport mechanism. |
It would be helpful to know what you currently have and what sound characteristics are important to you and/or you would like to improve. Otherwise this is just shooting in the dark. |
Hi soix
I am using
Pass Labs X250.5
Quick silver Linestage (planning to change )
Theta pro DAC
Cec TL1 transport
Harbeth SHL 5
Thanks |
Vimak DS-1800MK2, Tube Technology Fulcrum. |
Check out the Hegel hd20. You can pick up a new one for 2000 and it sounds amazing. |
Roscoeiii mentioned the Yamamoto YDA-1 DAC. This is a minimalist feature unit with only 1 rca input and output.It has an ultra simple discrete analog circuit(no OP-Amps) with few parts in the signal pathway. The power supply and transformer(150 va) are much over spec`d and premium quality.
In terms of sound,it is stunning with organic realism.
Very rare to find used.This is the epitome of a serious music lover`s component.It gets to the emotional core of music.Shigeki-Sans did an excellent job with this DAC.
Regards, |
Clarrie,
Especially since you are running a digital only set-up, you might also want to think about the DSPeaker Dual Core 2.0.
It gives you a DAC and DSP features below 500Hz, as well as a number of other customization features. Got an award in Absoulte Sound and a good review in Stereophile. Very cool unit. Has toslink, USB and analog input capabilities.
And if you aren't a big fan of the internal DAC, the unit can also digitally apply the DSP and EQ and then output a digital signal to the DAC of your choice. |
Hi Charles,
Who is the manufacturer of Yamamoto.. ? |
Shigeki Yamamoto is both the owner and designer of these japanese audio components. He`s known primarily for his building a stellar line of SET amplifiers and custom analog parts etc.Company has been around about 18-20 years and better known in Japan compared to USA.
Regards, |
I've personally tried a handful of DAC's in the $1k - $3k range, and by far, the best I've sampled is the North Star m192 mk2. I've sold all my other DAC's, this is the only one I own now. The soundstage is absolutely huge - real, 3D, holographic, whatever you want to call it, it feels like you're there. I love it.
FYI I'm using it with Decware Zen Torii mk3 and Tyler Acoustics Taylo Reference speakers. |
Burson Conductor (Sabre 32 Dac) is a solid recommendation below 2k. It acts as a preamp-headphone amp too. |
NAD M51 is one of the best value DACs out there right now. Not $2000 used, but $2000 new. |
Ayre C7, if you can find somebody that will part with there's. It surpasses it's equally priced competitors and gives the best out there a run for there money.
It's a no brainer. |
Tmsorok
How much does the used Ayre C7 cost? |
