I need a new DAC! Advice/Recommendations?


The good old Cambridge Dacmagic is finally done for, making this the last product from CA in my collection. My gut combined with a general understanding of quality (I bought used and owned it for six months) tells me to stay away from Cambridge Audio, but I did enjoy the sound from that DAC. It's probably one of the better things they made in my opinion. After a short, but good sounding run with the DAC it appears the unit needs servicing, harsh audible distortion at anything over -10bd. We all know it's not worth servicing , which leads me to my next point:

What Next?

A little about me; I'm young with excellent ears, I produce, mix, and critically listen to music everyday of my adult life. I knew the dacmagic was going to be a stepping stone into High End audio, so no, I don't want the dragonfly. Moreover, I don't want something that's only powered via USB with an rca out. I'd like something with a few input options to run my audio interface with preferably XLR inputs. Sample rate is not of huge importance to me. DSD compatibility would be nice. Something that's made in house would also be nice for quality control purposes. Id also really like this next dac purchase to be an investment and last for a long time. 

My budget: $1000 give or take, probably $1500 max. 

My current ideas in no particular order:

1. The Naim dac v1 because Naim has the reputation of lasting forever, sounding great, and it just looks so good. I've never heard this one, but unless it's like the NAC 112 in regards to sound I'd probably be satisfied. Also, the idea of being able to use a nap 100 and the v1 alone is promising, possibly adding a stageline when I'm in the mood for vinyl. 

2. The Rega DAC-R because it's Rega. Not a lot needs to be said in that regard. I also have the brio-r so the remote feature would be nice. (Neither one mentioned so far have XLR) 

3. The musical fidelity dac M1. It seems to fit bill with what I want, and the price is reasonable  considering it's age. The only concern I have is the quality control being made in Taiwan. 

Other ideas include, w4s's dac v2, building my own DAC and gaining solder practice at the same time, and getting a life outside of posting on Audiogon for DAC recommendations. 


Any help or for that matter any response at all would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the help! 











128x128audiodoggy
Save some of your money. Get a used Rega DAC-R to match your Brio-R. Live happily ever after (or at east until you can afford to upgrade to Rega Elicit-R integrated amp).

Last year I switched from separates to Rega Elicit-R and Saturn-R and I've stopped looking at electronic (I still look at speakers!).

Enjoy!
Check out the Lumin D-1 it will cost you around $1700
,and can do pretty much anything no more digital cable,
it has the upgrade as booster power supply $350,
or ever a much bigger upgrade the Linesr tube Audio power supply 
get the upgraded cable , for around $700
Fantastic , you  like myself wondered why I overlooked this excellent player.

I looked the Lumina D1, looks like a great unit, but my research found it was only a music streamer, there are no inputs to connect an external source such as a CD Transport. 
@Peter(pbnaudio),
That Vinshine DAC looks interesting. Wonder how it compares with the Holo Spring Level 3 DAC, since both are R2R DACs. I saw that they have 4 levels from SGD 888 to SGD 5600. Which one do you have? Can you please share your thoughts?
MP

For the asking price I think the Ares is hard to beat - I definitely recommend it. I don't have any experience with the others you mention.

Good Listening

peter