DAC recommendations under $7K

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. 

This

As I asked in the beginning, debate the results, not the use of chatGPT. The discussion on it's accuracy on Weiss is potentially valid, but I was not going to buy a 501 mk1 & the mk2 is outside my target price, aside from the fact that I did not want to pay for DSP on a DAC. 

I spent my career with IBM and saw significant technology changes through those years. My kids work for Google. What used to be a room full of DP equipment will now fit on your phone. AI is in it's infancy, but it's technology disruption IMHO will far surpass that of the cell phone. It is currently a valuable tool & is becoming better & better by the day. Inaccuracies are there but less and less.

I will continue to use it for multiple purposes (audio & other)... you each should make up your own mind on it's use IMHO.

@signaforce per your qoute "I believe I need a little more warmth & a little less insiveness."  I would again stand by my previous rec of the Aavik D-280.  It is lightweight due to the proprietary composite material used for the case/cabinet and has a small footprint.  More so I have had the Qutest, Holo Audio May, and the Aavik sounds like right up your alley.  It's not a DAC that is discussed much and so ChatGPT will likely overlook.  But go back and read the post from @abd1 which is pretty spot on as well regarding the D-280.

Quick search appears there is a used/mint condition available just search on hifishark.  

GL with whatever you end up with.  Cheers