DAC recommendations under $7K

@audiomirror I assume you removed your own post? Shows more class than many others who post here. I am not sure of the rules, and don’t care to see them as far as advertising/posting from a dealer/manufacturers standpoint as it doesn’t apply to me. Maybe if you pay as a seller/dealer you are permitted to post? I dunno. 

Maybe we should allow @admin @tammyholt  to comment here and clarify the rules as to what you can or cannot say in the forums? 

people who seek to get useful info from this forum, especially newcomers, should always remember that with the anonymity of usernames w.r.t. the real persons behind them, there is often ’guerilla marketing’ happening before our eyes, people attempting to sway viewpoints purely in their own self interest

audio mirror, mojo, the shameless ps audio directstream mods fellow, several dealers, and so on.... many of these folks here... well, the honest ones at least let you know who they are, they are upfront about it... the much more pernicious actors employ multiple screen names and/or have "friends"/colleagues who post on their behalf when called on

always remember, when someone says something here, who are they trying to help?  do they only post when touting their product or service?  

on the flip side, there are a few, a very few manufacturers or dealers who are actually longstanding content contributors in a more neutral, broader sense.... ralph/atmasphere or scott/verdant as prime examples, who post frequently to share information, and not just to tout their wares

so --- click the username, click their profiles (how long have they been here?, do they post a system?, have they bought or sold things here with good feedback?  are they selling something here in the main a-gon section?), read their OTHER posts, see what discussions they chime in on ... it quickly becomes obvious whether they are here as a true hobbyist/discussion partner, or if you are dealing with a camouflaged sales/marketing effort

sometimes you see a poster with 8 posts, suddenly chiming into a discussion like they have been here for years... well you can be confident that they indeed have.... 

end of public service message.... carry on...

It wasn't me. It was the moderator. But I am not angry or anything like this. I was just surprised. I am not sure about rules either.

Of course I see the problem - this was a possible sale. But also was viewed as possible advice to person looking for a DAC, considering all feedback I receive from customers. I am also an audiophile with a very critical listening taste and experience. All my products are first designed by myself for myself. If they pass my listening taste - they become a product. If they don't - they go in the closet. So yes my deleted post was both sale and advice. I want to make a statement - I will never advice on audio product I don't like and just to make some money.

Sorry for my mistake.

Vlad

Thank you again for all your excellent recommendations. Any of the DAC's recommended would provide greatly improved sound to my system. There are no bad choices, and differentiation without listening to each is difficult. 

Many of you have owned / listened to most of these DAC's but with your system, your environment, your ears & your preferences for sound.

My top 3 picks easily could have been different, but IMHO best for me and my system. I have eliminated the Dave after listening to my system intently for the last couple days. I believe I need a little more warmth & a little less insiveness.  

I have made the decision and am currently in negotiations to buy the M3. Doing so will save me over $4.5K, will provide IMO 80-90% of expected improvements from the Tambaqui, I like its industrial design, it will provide some warmth, good resolution and imaging, great soundstage & should be a significant improvement over my Qutest.

I can take that $4.5K and buy a new turntable, take a great trip, buy another great watch... lots of possibilities. If I don't like the M3, sell it for the same or close to what I paid for it and buy a Tambaqui. Thanks again!

yep relying on chatgpt at this point is like consulting with a toddler. It’ll repeat whatever it hears. 

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