2. digital
  3. 162469-78719

DAC finalist please help

Hi all,
hope everyone is doing well this holiday season.
I’m back on the DAC hunt and I have narrowed down to these different but compelling DAC’s.
Unlike a lot of you guys on Audiogon I’m not a millionaire : (  My budget is only 1,500 bucks but I think there are some good choices in that range.
If any of you folks have experience with any of these pieces I would greatly appreciate your thoughts.

I’m replacing a McCormack DAC-1 that I have owned since new.
I still listen and continue to buy Redbook CD’s so something that would be kind to those is important.
I’m trying to make the determination on overall what would work and sound the best.
NOS with tubes is intriguing as is R2R as is just a good chip set.
I’m looking at a Aragon D2A used $600 for redbook playback and maybe teaming it up with a Xiangsheng 05B to handle modern formats DSD etc, less than 500 bucks the two together would be just north of a grand.
On the NOS front the Audio Mirror Tubadour III NOS w/tubes, new $1,500.

The Denafrips Ares II R2R used about 800 bucks, or the Musician - Pegasus, new around $1,100.
And then there is the Line Magnetic 502CA tube, used 700-800 dollars.
I love the look of the LM and it's got a great tube stage, I definitely have a bit of a crush on this one.

I realize I’m a little bit all over the Map here, but again if anyone has thoughts or has /had one of these DAC’s I’m all ears...Many thanks and Happy Holidays!HG
grossman616

Showing 3 responses by grossman616

grossman616 OP
123 posts
 
Thank you one and all!
Nice to hear from real people who have the gear I'm looking at.

The MHDT is something that caught my eye too but didn't know much about. There is one on US Audiomart's  site I think so thank you for your suggestion. I will look into the other choices as well.I appreciate the comment about the Ares II.

I have been talking to Mr Bazelkov, at Audio Mirror about changing to 9 pin tubes because I need higher output, passive pre-amp -Maggie's you get the idea.Although it's at the high end of the range new is nice as is dealing with the owner, American made etc. NOS is very interesting to me. I'm a minimalist at heart, and grew up with a vintage Scott tube set up.

As always, good advice found here!
So again, many thanks one and all.
Happy and Safe Holidays!!!HG
grossman616 OP
123 posts
 
Thank you one and all! A lot of votes for the AM Tubadour III. The SE is beyond my budget rt now but the the standard III gets good reviews and I think it's upgradeable...??? MHDT Atlantis is another. I could not find a AM used, if I did I would buy now. MHDT however...

I have my current DAC for 25 yrs from new so I don't swap around much.

Thanks again so much for your advice!!  Happy Holidays!!




grossman616 OP
123 posts
 
I was set to get the AM tubiedoor  : )  But then they stopped returning e-mails. It's OK I saw some "under the hood" pics and no thanks, yikes.
for now, just to get a taste of the whole NOS thing, I bought a VERY NICE bespoke little DAC. Built by a retired electrical engineer ( and patent holder)  using a TDA1541A with Philips Forum 10th anniversary board. Still breaking it in but on the whole very nice. Tons of air and space and detail. As far as something for higher rates I am looking at maybe the Woo DAC or ??? Some of you will hate me but I just can't get past the clock radio look of the Mhtd products Maybe the Schiit??Many many thanks for ALL the useful info folks!
More to discover