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DAC recommendations under $7K

OK, my R11’s were destroyed by FedEx on the way to their new owners, and the check is OTW from FedEx in payment, so I am ready to buy a new DAC.

My digital equipment:

Simaudio Moon 330A

PSaudio BHK pre with Tele Medical tubes (also have Brimar & Sieman’s NOS tubes)

KEF Reference 3’s

Aurender N150

Chord Qutest with Sbooster + Ultra LPS

Transparent + Gen 5 speaker cables

Cardas Clear USB

Mogami 2549 interconnects

I am looking to spend less than $7K new or used. Size of the DAC is important, as I don’t have room for a standard width (17’) DAC and height is also a potential issue, so the PSaudio, Holo May, etc are out.  I ’thought’ I wanted warmer, but after reading the excellent "If warmth is distortion... " post, I think I want a W2W DAC, front row or conductor seat sound.

Perhaps best described as my Qutest, only better. Better imaging, soundstage, no digital haze, no digital etching... clearer, cleaner. BTW, I never experience fatigue with my Qutest, filter set on incisive with HF rolloff. I wear very good hearing aids, but as a result, my HF hearing above 9khz is non existent.

My N150 is USB output only & I listen exclusively to Qobuz PCM, so I need a DAC with excellent USB capability & DSD, Roon etc is not important. I want it to be only a DAC as I plan to keep my N150 & BHK. I don’t want a tube DAC.

My next upgrade is probably my interconnects with OCC copper.

My current #1 contender is the Bricasti M3, perfect size, nice industrial design, great USB implementation, W2W sound, great reviews, everything I think I need, very little I don’t.

ChatGPT describes the M3 as follows...

What the M3 sounds like vs your Qutest: 

Imagine your Qutest but—

  • cleaner

  • smoother

  • more open

  • less grain

  • more precise

  • more neutral

  • more “grown-up” sounding

Not warmer. Not colder. Not more aggressive. Just… higher-end execution of the same overall philosophy.

I know several of you don’t like chatGPT, but keep your replies to disputing it’s findings, not it’s use. For me, it is a part of a 3 leg stool, together with other research & input from this forum.

Other DAC’s that were/are in contention are the Holo Spring 3 KTE, Mystique X, Weiss 501, Chord Dave & Chord TT2. As I said, the PSaudio, Holo May etc are too large. I am sure there are more DAC’s to consider.

Before I pull the trigger on the M3, please provide your thoughts & recommendations. I want to make a very well informed purchase. Thank you!

signaforce
danmar123's avatar
danmar123
628 posts
 

@katzenjammer27 ,

I'm glad to "hear" another happy fellow. I have some top grade NOS tubes in my stash because of my Pre takes the 6sn7. I take delivery of Linlai's Global E tomorrow that I've been happy with in my Pre..

My system in very revealing & space is saved in my rack which is it's just going to make it. So I'm going to have to keep it on top of my cabinet until I do some tube rolling. So you see, we're both need a lil more ROOM. (lol)

I think the OP would have enjoyed the Aero, but he's not looking for a tube DAC. Happy Listening Everyone!

signaforce's avatar
signaforce OP
549 posts
 

Hi everyone, had a busy day, just returning from golf in the cold. I have a lot of thinking & research to do based upon your excellent recommendations. Interesting no one, I mean NO one voted for the Holo. 

I thought it would be interesting if any of you also have KEF reference speakers, since, at least in my mind, speakers make the biggest difference in sound. if you do, it would be interesting to know what DAC you use. 

Also if anyone lives in the triangle area of NC I would love to hear your system and would be happy to reciprocate. Unfortunately my area other than Audio Advice has limited audio stores for auditioning. Thank you for your excellent advice. 

toyman
58 posts
 

I bought both my Tambaqui and my Grimm MU1 used.

I will never look back.

lanx0003
1,945 posts
 

I make a motion for the Holo Cyan 2. Its petite size just might be too cheap for you. I also second the Topping III Discrete, but again it might be too inexpensive.

signaforce's avatar
signaforce OP
549 posts
 

@zlone i was looking at the systems that owned and liked the M3. Yours stands out as you have Ref 1’s. What did you like about the M3? Your system does not list the M3, but has the Merason Reuss as your DAC. Have you changed? Thanks!

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