Your experience with an inexpensive DAC?


I have a main system and a bedroom system for late night headphone listening.  I have not upgraded my digital end of the system, but do not want to spend/do too much at this point.  So my question, what have my friends here at AudiogoN had  success with in a DAC?

I have an Oppo and two of the better high-end, but older Pioneer Elite players.  So I am thinking that a good sounding DAC may be of use to me.  

I do have a prejudice I may have to set aside, as in me liking components with tubes or transistors but not op-amps/I.C. chips.  Perhaps I am a dinosaur?

For what it's worth (great song) I listen mainly to classic Jazz and lean towards acoustic instruments rather than electric and I listen to many female vocals, Ella, Dinah Washington, Diana Krall, Carmen, and even though he had a bit of a messy life and a limited vocal and instrument range, I do listen to much of early Chet Baker and Paul Desmond, Miles, Earl Garner, et.al. 

Thanks for your thoughts/experience, Jim

 

jusam

Showing 1 response by yyzsantabarbara

- Benchmark DAC3B - I use this when I want all the facts. Love this DAC though a friend tells me it lacks in the low end. I am not too sure about that. ($1600)

- Topping D90SE. Maybe the best mesauring DAC out there. It also sounded good with my uber nuetral Benchmark AHB2 amps and my warmer CODA #8 amp ($900)

- Gustard X26 Pro. A great DAC with warmth and detail, just not to the extreme in either. It has NOS+OS mode with 4 custom filters that actually sound different. ($1500)

- I sold the Gustard last week to raise money to buy the Musetec 005. People are selling Mola Mola Tambaqui et al DACs to keep this one. I am intrigued (on sale  $2969)

The 3 Chinese DACs I have listed will go on sale occasionally, especially Black Friday. The following is a reputable seller. Excellent actually wihth easy warranty work.

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