You should see if you can demo a Mojo Audio Evo dac. Based on your comments it seems like a wonderful match for your preferences. Ben can build it out with every upgrade you want. Natural sounding with an “at ease” realism that is rare in digital. It also has a meatiness or muscularity to it’s sound that helps set the stage for great listening sessions.
Curious.....
I am getting a new DAC soon. I have to go on memory and my notes as I haven't heard any of the top DAC's that are on my list in ages or it's been their mk 1 not the mk 2 if you would. I have spoken to a few dealers I'm close with as well as friends and a reviewer I'm close with. The reviewer knows digital really well and we both know where our hearing differs from each other so I trust him.
My list (some used and some new with discounts):
Brinkmann Nyquist
Meitner MA3 (dealer sells Brinkmann and used to sell MSB and swears the new MA3 is better)
DCS Bartok (dealer carries Brinkmann and never brought it up in our initial conversation as he said Bartok for how it sounds and that they do the upgrades over the life of the product which I love)
MSB Discrete with built in 2nd power supply and the ProUSB dongle that does fiber optic isolation.
I have only heard the MSB Select and I loved it. That was a few years ago. I haven't heard the Discrete, but dealer swears that configured this way it's nearly what the Premier is at a much lower price point.
I know that Nyquist is loved by many of my 'analog' friends. I have always loved Brinkmann tables and when I first heard the Nyquist original edition I was blown away and I heard it just weeks after I heard my buddy's DaVinci mk 2 as well as the top Lampinator.
I can audition the MA3 locally and if I like it best, I'll buy from that dealer (I try to never waste folks time)
I can probably find a DCS dealer near me (2 hour drive) if I want to go that route and I may.
Just curious where this thread will go... Begin: ......
My list (some used and some new with discounts):
Brinkmann Nyquist
Meitner MA3 (dealer sells Brinkmann and used to sell MSB and swears the new MA3 is better)
DCS Bartok (dealer carries Brinkmann and never brought it up in our initial conversation as he said Bartok for how it sounds and that they do the upgrades over the life of the product which I love)
MSB Discrete with built in 2nd power supply and the ProUSB dongle that does fiber optic isolation.
I have only heard the MSB Select and I loved it. That was a few years ago. I haven't heard the Discrete, but dealer swears that configured this way it's nearly what the Premier is at a much lower price point.
I know that Nyquist is loved by many of my 'analog' friends. I have always loved Brinkmann tables and when I first heard the Nyquist original edition I was blown away and I heard it just weeks after I heard my buddy's DaVinci mk 2 as well as the top Lampinator.
I can audition the MA3 locally and if I like it best, I'll buy from that dealer (I try to never waste folks time)
I can probably find a DCS dealer near me (2 hour drive) if I want to go that route and I may.
Just curious where this thread will go... Begin: ......