1. Home
  2. digital
  3. 196044-183945

DAC upgrade

Looking to take my digital side of things to the next level. 
 

L-shaped new room. Sloped ceiling. Big space. 
 

D’Agostino HD Preamp, M400 amps, Aurender W20 with their Master Clock. Wislson Benesch Resolutions with two REL 32 subs. Great interconnects.

 

Have a Chord DAVE DAC. It sounds good. Still a little clinical and sterile. Haven’t gone into the world of tubes. I’m an amateur for sure but read a lot of what you all say and am trying to elevate my game. Truly enjoy this hobby and the happiness that music brings. Just learning what the next step might be. 
 

Thank you for your input. 
 

wjcasey3rd
rick_n's avatar
rick_n
482 posts
 

I would take a hard look at the MSB lineup.  Should be a good fit. 

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,467 posts
 

Berkeley Alpha Reference 3 would be my recommendation. It is detailed, lifelike and natural. i’d recommend an Audio Research DAC9 but it is getting a bit long in the tooth, and doesn’t have DSD. I find dCS to be too sterile. 

kennyc
2,971 posts
 

What’s your budget, and are you looking for new or used?

+1

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,974 posts
 

If you’re looking to buy new make a list of DACs you’re most interested in and try to arrange for home audition. 
In that system with the streaming setup you currently running you are most likely looking at DACs ranging from $20k to $30k retail. Your Chord is out of place there and if you don’t like Chord sound and want something smoother you can add to your list FPGA DACs such as Playback Designs, EMM Labs. If you want tubes you have options in Aries Cerat and Lampizator. But again, these are just some examples - home audition is key. 

wjcasey3rd OP
19 posts
 

Thank you all. Budget would be up to 20,000 (possibly up to 25,000 if it would make enough difference). I have been happy buying used. 
I really appreciate all of the input. 

More to discover