Best DAC to match CEC drive model TL 1

This is very much below your budget, but the Timbre TT1 DAC is as musical and rich sounding DAC as I've ever heard. It would be even more sweet and liquid with the belt drive. New retail was $4K but you can get the latest version used for about $1K. Happy listening!
Jon

Fr something WAY below your "looking" price of $5K but matching the sonic description that you mentioned, try contacting Ric at EVS. Ask him about the Millennium II upsampler that he sells direct for $1050. Music Direct told me that this piece would sell for at least $4K if it was sold by dealers. It uses some of the finest components that money can buy without the massive dealer mark-up or manufacturer advertising expenses tacked on. It sounds very "see through", in terms of detail but COMPLETELY lacks grain, glare or any of the digital nasties that one thinks of. If the price is TOO CHEAP for you, Ric could even build a custom piece a few steps higher up the ladder. Sean
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www.tweakaudio.com

I have heard the combination of the CEC TL 1 with both the Entec Number Cruncher 2.1 as well as the Audiomeca Enkianthus and both combinations were marvelous.

If you are interested in the Number Cruncher, you can contact an Audiogon user named MES who may have one for sale. If you have no luck, contact Bob Crump at CTC Builders and maybe he could help you find one.

Good Luck...
Jonathan

You can't beat the Kora tube dac for $1500.It is an amazing value.

I would encourage you to look into the Audio Logic 2400. It has a tube output stage and is one of the finest dac's on the market. Jerry Ozment the designer is very helpful and service oriented.

It might be just above your price range, but the Dodson DA-217 Mk IID is an outstanding match with the CEC TL-1.

I agree with Glide 3, the Audio Logic works especially well with the more analog-sounding transports like the CEC and the Forsell. And Jerry Ozment is extremely knowledgable and helpful. His products strike the right balance between detail and musicality, and the 2400 is a relative bargain, especially for the quality offered.

I'll strongly second Sean's recommendation of the EVS Millenium dac

jaw dropping performance, I've been playing older discs I never thought would sound this good and revealing.

tom