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Marantz HD-DAC1 vs Bel Canto DAC 1.x/2.x/3.x?

Hi,

Has anyone had the chance to compare the Marantz HD-DAC1 to any of the Bel Canto DACs?

The Marantz is $800, plays DSD, and has a headphone amplifier. It has a line out (into a preamp) and variable line out (hence can be used as a preamp).

The Bel Cantos range from $1,500-$4,500. No headphone amp. The amplification is digital (hence digital preamp), and feeds the amp directly.

Has anyone had a chance to listen to both makes and give some feedback as to the audio quality and characteristics differences?

Thanks!
zordex

Showing 2 responses by coli

coli
291 posts
 
DAC is one place where price has nothing to do with sound quality. See if you can find out which DAC chip they use, as all DAC using the same chip sounds alike.

Looks like Del Canto uses PCM1796, which is a 6bit R2R + rest Delta Sigma. This chip sounds pretty nice. Ross Martin Audio would be a budget choice if you like the sound of this chip.

Looks like that Marantz uses CS4398, I have never heard of this chip so I can't comment. "multibit Delta-Sigma" so looks like it'll have similar sound to PCM1796, see if you can find out how many bits R2R it is, more bits sounds better.
coli
291 posts
 
One thing that helps a lot is a pro grade reclocker, eg: mutec smart clock, then add in balanced power and they really all sound pretty much the same as long as they use the same $5 DAC chip. The only place in DAC world that may be worth the dollar are custom DAC chips.
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