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Is my Cal Audio Sigma II too old?

It seems like I have had my Cal Audio Sigma II DACs for 12 years or more. Is this too old? Have DACs come that much further since it was made? I always liked the warmth of this tube based DAC and currently have a Telefunken smooth plate in it and still enjoy the sound. Regardless of its age, it still sounds less harsh than the DAC built into the Sonos Connect I use for my digital listening. This is connected to a NAS drive with redbook cd flac files. I don’t really have the 2 grand at the moment for a Benchmark 3 or a Mytek Brooklyn but I’m not sure I need or want all that additional functionality. I just use it to decode the digital signal. Would a more modest DAC outshine this older unit?

The rest of the system consists of a McIntosh C712 preamp, McIntosh MC2102 tubed power amp and Magnepan 1.7i speakers.
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Showing 2 responses by kalali

kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
Note note to self: Count the number of posts someone asked for a suggestion for upgrading xxxx (fill in the blank with any audio gear) and georgehifi did not respond by including a link to Schiit website or not recommend one of their products.
Sorry just could not resist...Please carry on.
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
For Redbook CD, you may also want to consider one of the R2R DACs being discussed in a few other threads. The Denafrips Ares is under $700 with free shipping. Meets the no frills no glitz criteria referenced above with lots of positive feedback.
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