Looking for a DAC under 2k


I'm using a Small Green Computer Optical Rendu to bring usb to a DAC.
Looking for a new DAC around 2k new or used.

Recently, I had a Border Patrol Se-i which sounded beautiful with a great soundstage and a relaxed sound. Unfortunately, dynamics and bass definition were weak.

Next up, I tried the ifi Pro iDSD. Detailed and clean, but lots and lots of settings to play with. Became noisy after a couple hours and eventually stopped putting out sound and went silent. Can't deal with that kind of poor quality, but really would have prefer a little warmer sound.

I borrowed my Chord Qutest from my headphone system. Very good with my tube headphone system, and not bad on the speaker system, but would like something a bit more analog sounding, like a Border Patrol with dynamic punch and clearly defined, not muddy bass.

TIA, for suggestions.


traudio

Showing 2 responses by georgehifi

The TDA 1541 chip is rated one of the best sounding of the discreet R2R chips
The TDA1541 is not discrete.

This is the "Chip" TDA1541 (all microscopic resistors are inside it.)
https://img.canuckaudiomart.com/uploads/large/2649100-brand-new-philips-tda-1541-s1-crown-dac-chip.j...

This is the "Discrete" R2R resistor Ladder, "no chip", the hundreds of those resistor (circled in red) are separate and discrete.
https://ibb.co/72znmhd

Cheers George


traudio OP
Looking for a DAC under 2k
Don’t think you could go passed a discrete R2R from Denmark at Soekris Audio .
http://www.soekris.dk/products.html

US/Canada Distrubuter https://soekris.modhouseaudio.com/soekris-audiophile-line

Cheers George