Ayre would be my first choice. You can probably get one used for under $1500.
Shouldn't done that...
I have a home office that has a head phone rig. I had been using a DAC Magic fed by a dedicated Windows 7 laptop running JRiver MC17 via USB to a Stello U2 via SDIF then into the DAC Magic.
Well, I just "had to" try my Stello DA100 Signature from my big rig in my basemenet listening area in place of the DAC Magic - feeding the DA100 with the I2S out of the U2 - not the SPDIF.
WOW! Without going into all the gory details, this move resulted in a substantial difference. Geez.
So, I am selling my DAC Magic set-up (see classified here on A'Gon) and keeping the DA100 Signature in my office. I need a DAC for the big rig.
I can come up with no more than $1,500 - I am seriously considering a W4S DAC-2. The opinions are positive, the price at MSRP fits the budget and Rick Cullen has been doing great things for a while.
Thoughts? Other new or used DACs that should be on my short list?
Well, I just "had to" try my Stello DA100 Signature from my big rig in my basemenet listening area in place of the DAC Magic - feeding the DA100 with the I2S out of the U2 - not the SPDIF.
WOW! Without going into all the gory details, this move resulted in a substantial difference. Geez.
So, I am selling my DAC Magic set-up (see classified here on A'Gon) and keeping the DA100 Signature in my office. I need a DAC for the big rig.
I can come up with no more than $1,500 - I am seriously considering a W4S DAC-2. The opinions are positive, the price at MSRP fits the budget and Rick Cullen has been doing great things for a while.
Thoughts? Other new or used DACs that should be on my short list?