Narrowing down the field (DAC wise)

If you can somehow stretch to get the Weiss 501 that would be my recommendation. This is the kind of dac that I will use for many years to come. How that designer got Digital play back to sound like analog blows my mind

Why spend lottsa bucks for a DAC? The KTB Pro at $199 measures/sounds as good as any four-figure DAC. State-of-the-art linearity/low distortion!

@tuberist : "How that designer got Digital playback to sound like analog blows my mind" LOL! Lay off the blotter acid!

What do you like about your current DAC and what improvements are you looking for, and what sound characteristics are most important to you?

I have the Khadas DAC here.  They reached out to me asking me to carry it and sent me a sample.  I opted to not carry it not because I didn't like it, It is very good for $199 but the amount I need to buy (100+ units) and the associated margin is not something I was interested in. 

That being said, it is not in the same league as "any four-figure DAC."  It is definitely competitive up to maybe $1000 which is super impressive but to compare it to the Weiss, Wavelight or Terminator is a stretch.  

The Wavelight is not a particularly difficult DAC to use.  There are a few filters.  You will try each of them and once you pick the one you like, you will likely never change it again.  The big challenge is if you want to use it as a preamp.  The volume control is very good but is controlled via an app.  I have a loaner that I lend out to folks.  The Wavelight is slightly warm vs. neutral.  It has a slight emphasis on bass and although quite detailed, is not the most detailed in its price range.  

The Weiss is a much better DAC.  It is a clear step forward compared to the Wavelight but at almost 2x the price.  This is neutral to a hair forward.  It is not the most detailed DAC in the world but it will hold its own with Chord Dave, Mola Mola and dCS Bartok.  I had a customer do a direct compare between it and an MSB and he said they were too close to call. 

Options sound between the two that are interesting would be the Audiobyte HydraVox which is very detailed.  Close to the Weiss.  Pretty neutral in terms of sound profile.  Sounds big like the Wavelight but lacks the absolute depth of soundstage that the other two deliver.  This improves a bit with the addition of the HUB.  Audiobyte is Rockna's non-R2R DACs .  

The Canor DAC 2.10 is a new entry from the Slovakian manufacturer.  They are the OEM for a variety of manufactures like ProJect but produce some products under their own brand.  This is an ESS chip based DAC like the Weiss but with a tube based output stage.  It is incredibly detailed yet warm.  It also offers full MQA decoding. This excellent if you don't need a preamp or any networking and is $4K.  

Bricasti M3 is the soundstage king in this price range.  The image is wide and deep and might be my favorite DAC for hard rock/metal music.  It is a good all arounder but it does a really nice job with rock music.  Bricasti is made in Boston and offers a lifetime warranty.  It has a modular design so it can be upgraded. Service from Bricasti is AMAZINGLY good. 

If you don't need XLRs, the Rockna Wavedream Edition SE is an awesome value at $6500, a bit tougher if you need the differentially balanced XLR version at $8800.  The circuit is doubled though.  This DAC is neutral to a fault.  Incredibly detailed by any standard, incredible for an R2R.  The knock is the depth of image is not incredible.  

I literally own all of these DACs except the Wavedream Edition and have had it here recently  It really depends on your excact taste and how you want to deviate from what you are getting from the Benchmark.  Are you looking for a warmer sound?  Are you looking for better imaging?  How concerned are you with detail?  What kind of music do you listen too?  All this matters.   

Regarding the Denafrips, I have not heard it personally and can't say how it compares to the above.  I know it is a very good sounding product.  Good to hear that they finally have US service.  

Thank you all so very much for your expertise and experience in field. A lot of good suggestions.

     I especially want to thank Verdant audio for their comments and post and taking the time to cover the topic. I really enjoy my Benchmark DAC3B and plan on keeping it and adding it to another system, in house. I believe the DAC 3B is neutral to my ears and detailed, and my R&R listening seems to meld well with it.

I guess I got SUCH an improvement when adding an outboard  DAC and LA-4 pre amp to the system, I was hoping to maybe get another big jolt of improvement with a more expensive DAC???? Listening the other day to a sound demo for the weiss501 in comparison to something else. The 501 shined (wish it was just a DAC) really opened my eyes and ears, However, my wallet is another issue.  Thanks Verdant! May be calling you Monday. Robert TN

I was in the same boat as you about 1 year ago. I think the Terminator would be a great choice (It gets stellar reviews online). My choice came down to the Ares II and the Schiit Bifrost II since my budget was not really high. I settled on the Bifrost II paired with the Freya Plus. I have been happy with the combination.... I also have the Tekton DI SE and these speakers were way at the top of my budget. haha

Listening the other day to a sound demo for the weiss501 in comparison to something else. The 501 shined (wish it was just a DAC) really opened my eyes and ears

What exactly did the 501 do that was better than your DAC?  This is critical information in making more informed and useful recommendations here. 

It is so difficult in defining Dac images. For some reason, hopefully, and accurately stating my opinion. When I listened to a piece on the internet through my crappy  computer speakers about the Weiss 501, the piece just stood out to me, it was SOOO clear, and concise, had impact, and maybe a touch (small) of warmth. The only thing that could be more accurate, is to listen to the same song through my system with my Benchmark , vrs the Weiss, but, as much as I would like, I don't see that happening.  I guess I'm looking for that musical Epiphany. Aren't we all. Thanks to all for your help. Robert

In general I trust The Absolute Sound reviews. From that it is hard to think the Denfrips would be a bad choice… assuming dynamic and detailed is what you are looking for. It sounds like a great deal for a ~$5K DAC.

Thanks for the post, ghdpprentice I do also. Pulling the trigger on so many good choices is tough. Thanks ALL for your help. Can only buy one, and hardly afford that.

OP,

Congratulations. I would be very happy to hear about what your impressions are after receiving it.
 

Don’t forget you have to get a couple hundred hours on it to let the sound settle in. I have relearned this so many times… if it doesn’t sound incredible right out of the box… it may take some time. I play new stuff 24 x 7 for at least a couple weeks.