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Auralic Vega DAC: How's it compare in 2020?

I have a Dennafrips on order but no one is sure when it will get here so I'm thinking of buying another DAC to feed my audio habit while I wait. My research has led me to believe that the Auralic Vega DAC may be one that I would enjoy and is available at a reasonable price. What I question is how good is it compared to the newer designs with the much newer DAC chips?  After all, the Vega, apparently superb for its day, is based on the ES9018. 

The Vega would replace a Sabaj D5 ES9038Pro based DAC.  You probably have not heard a D5, but it is very good and much better than the DAC in the Node 2i.  I do not use a preamp.

I stream TIDAL Premier through a Node 2i.  The amp is a Classe AMP2, class D, into B&W 705S2.  

What do you think?  
chinook9

Showing 1 response by big_greg

big_greg
6,554 posts
 
I used a Vega in my main system (external to a Bluesound Node 2) up until recently when I replaced it and the Node 2 with a TEAC NT-505 streamer/DAC.  It was in my main system for a reason.  I'd echo Mike's comments, very clean sounding and easy to listen to with lots of detail. 

It's "old" but can handle just about anything you throw at it, except MQA (which I personally could care less about), offers a number of connection options, and remote control.  I think it's a bargain at current used prices.
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