SW1X dacs

I’ve been enjoying my DAC III plus for a month and it is the best upgrade I’ve had. Period. It’s dynamic, and texture and palpability is very analogue like. I can’t say how pleased I am with DAC. I could go on and on but ultimately if you’re looking for a NOS tube DAC that has the characteristics of vinyl playback you really need to find a way to hear it. I purchased mine blind by just reading a few reviews, reading Slawa’s interviews, and being very sympathetic to his audio philosophy. Ordering from Slawa was a breeze and my DAC arrived 2 months from purchase. I’ve heard the wait is a bit longer now. Don’t quote me on that. I can’t imagine you’d be disappointed. 

I have heard rave reviews of these DACs and am also the one who wants to credit for good product, no matter how small the company is. I have asked for demo and DAC II special will be coming to me in few days to week, for home trial. I am looking forward for the trial and am sure will be amazed. I have Luxman D10X and have recently trialed Mola Mola Tambaqui, all of which are top class. I am also about to audition Esoteric XD series and see how things line up. 

I now have a SW1X Std Dac III+ DHT and it's Outstanding!

SW1X Audio Design DAC II Absolute Top Tier Ref NOS DAC | Audiogon Discussion Forum

Wig

Ted,

I, too, own an upgraded DAC III (DAC III+). It began life as a DAC III STD, but I sent it back for the upgrade last Fall after 'enthusiastic encouragement' from Wig. [Thank you!!] 

I cannot put into words how happy I am with this DAC. The US Dollar price for this fluctuates because it is priced in British Pounds, but approximately $6000 will get you a DAC III+. Just as my Daedalus Apollo speakers and Don Sachs amp and preamp brought my system to a new, much higher level of enjoyment, the DAC III+ has lifted it even higher. I definitely fall into the 'over-the-top' positive group of owners.

For reference, a buddy brought his Balanced Lampizator Atlantic w/volume control to my home for a weekend about a year and a half ago. I think it was already approximately 2 years old at that time. We went back and forth between his Lampi and my <not yet upgraded> DAC III STD playing songs over and over. We came to the conclusion that they were pretty close to each other in sound characteristics. I think Lampi prices have dropped quite a bit since that Atlantic was purchased, but his was ~$13k vs my ~$4600 DAC III STD. Granted, his had volume control, so one could forego buying a preamp if one were so inclined. I have no idea how any other Lampi DAC might compare.



  

The DAC III Balanced is in house and playing. I can not imagine any DAC on the planet, in my system, producing more etherial sound. After another two weeks of careful assessment I will update this post with a more meaningful review.