Of the DACs I am familiar with (best sounding first):
1) Audio Research CD9se ($17K)
2) Berkeley Reference Alpha ($22K)
3) Linn Klimax (~20K?)… I can’t find the price… conflated with the DSM
4) Schiit Yggdrasil ~ $2,500
5) Schiit Gungnir~ $1,500
Is there a DAC ranking list?
This is a follow up from my previous thread seeking more definition and presence in my music. Among other ideas, I was advised to get a new DAC and several brands were tossed out from $100 to $1700+. The world of DAC’s is large, and I’m wondering if there’s a ranking list for them, similar to Crinicles list for earphones. I especially like the value ratings on that list, such as “Redefines the price bracket.”
Here’s a recap of my scenario:
I listen to jazz at lower volumes on radio.garden.com via my Apple iPad pro
My room is big, 20ft by 40ft, no carpeting or drapes, with a corner LP triangle
Apple AirPort Express Wireless Router a1392 300Mbps
B & O BeoLab 8000 powered speakers, 10ft from the LP
Hsu ULS15 Mk II 15in sealed sub imid-room
Paradigm Monitor Series 7 12in sealed sub mid-room via wireless transmitter
Monoprice cables 10ft and 25ft, 22awg, 3.5mm plugs to RCA connections
I am sure there are many good and great DAC’s out there. But are there some that punch above their price category? I also don’t want to pay a premium for one that exceeds the quality capabilities of the rest of my system.
My music sounds “A++” with my Moondrop Blessing headphones, so listening to radio.garden.com on my iPad is giving me the quality of sound that I am seeking for my speakers.
Also, I don’t know if I need a DAC with a preamp or a streamer. Thx for any ideas you might have that could help me.
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- 76 posts total
We as audiophiles often seek ’giant killer’ components. Though the phrase is loosely used, rarely, if ever do we find such elusive equipment. I can’t see any worthy ranking below about a $3,000 price point. That’s the approximate starting threshold level and going north, where unit build and significant performance significant differentiation starts in my experiences. Simply put, quality build matters, and you get what you pay for, That’s the suggested starting price point where you actually start seeing significant design and quality build differentiation they translates into a meaningful audio performance step-up in lockstep; with features and measured performance that is very near the theoretical limit of the digital audio streams it can decode. Besides it’s superb measured performance, it’s a total joy to use and listen to. It is operationally easy to understand and simply sounds better as a key contender and leaves the lower budget units as clear and unambiguous large pretenders comparatively. For example,
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Ranking lists are pretty useless as it comes down to what sound characteristics you like, not someone else’s list according to their own preferences that could well be different from yours. That said, given what your looking for take a look at the Musician Pegasus. I have one and it’s really good at portraying tone and density but still has excellent detail up top. Several reviewers use it as a reference if that means anything, and at $1100 I think it offers very good value for the sound quality it offers. Here’s a review that coincides with my own impressions of the Pegasus’ sound characteristics. Best of luck. https://soundnews.net/sources/dacs/musician-audio-pegasus-r2r-dac-review/ |
- 76 posts total