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Does a Tube Dac make sense?


I’m  in the market for a dac since I bought a Musical Paradise MP701MKII Tube Preamp few months back, does it make sense to buy a tube dac? The seller Garry is suggesting to get the Musical Paradise MP D2 MKIII which is a tube dac with a AK4490 but can be upgraded to AK4499 but I’m leaning towards the RME ADI2 which is almost the same price as the MP tube dac. I’m finding it hard to justify a $1k dac but I have read a lot of forums that suggests the RME or the SMSL M400 and Denafrips Ares II but I’m a sucker for vu meters and spectrum analyzers but if the MP tube dac is a good match for my MP tube preamp I’m willing to give it a go.
stibin
maxboy00's avatar
maxboy00
273 posts
 
My integrated amp and DAC are both tubed based, no issues and both sound great. 
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,601 posts
 
great, and i mean *great* sounding digital gear has had tube output stages placed on them for many years

i have had and still have several pieces - they bring tremendous musical enjoyment, and have no problems driving downstream gear, plus there is the added benefit of being able to subtly tailor the sound with different tube makes and types in most cases, which is a lot of fun if one is inclined to partake

like in all excellent gear in this pursuit, it is all subject to the talents of the designer/maker - to use good engineering, coupled with inspiration and creativity in making a piece sound ’right’ to them

so please let your ears decide


stibin OP
12 posts
 
Thanks for all your replies. I want to try the tube dac to match it with my tube pre but I’m not sure if it will sound good, I guess I have to try it and see and return it if it doesn’t. I hope returning it won’t be a hassle.
ghdprentice
6,354 posts
 
Tube DACs can sound outstanding. I own a Audio Research Reference 9se... but then it is $17,000 so not much direct relationship with the DAC you are looking at. Mine is the best sounding DAC I have heard. 
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