@mdalton Watson Madison is an interesting unit. But I can’t help but wonder how it’s possible to pack a streamer, DAC and preamp into a 7x7x2 box. We all know you can’t stuff 5lbs of fudge in a 2lb bag. Reminds of WiiM.
But OK. Irrelevant for the OP as he already made a choice.
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—
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cleaner
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smoother
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more open
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less grain
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more precise
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more neutral
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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!
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Not that tough. They're called microcomputers and chips - they're really small, lol! Wattson is owned by CH Precision, who by all accounts know what they're doing. I'd also note that there are plenty of very small applications where streamer and dac are combined in small packages to great success - Pecan Pi+ is just one example. While I haven't heard the Wattson, the combo of Reichert listening ("in a small package, at an affordable price...In my system, (it) delivered a level of vibrance and vital clarity I had not previously encountered for under five figures.") and Atkinson measuring ("The measured performance of the Wattson Audio Madison LE ois state of the digital art, at a relatively affordable price.") tells me it's worth listening to, which is what I was suggesting to the OP. |
@mdalton chill the condescending tone. I am aware of microchips and microcomputers. You stuff the chassis with everything you need for your design and keep the power supply outside the main enclosure. This gives you: 1. Small footprint with base cheap SMPS but that will pollute the AC line and impact performance of other components. And that’s why… 2. You will be offering an upgraded external LPS to your customers to take the performance to the next level AND bring in additional revenue (I’m cool with that…just making sure you’re seeing the big picture) I don’t doubt it’s possible to design a decent sounding unit with that type of footprint and it has its purpose in a headphone system, cramped and limited space apartments, etc. it’s definitely worth listening to. If you’re in a market for an ultra compact one box solution. I’d bet it sounds good. For what it is. |
I’m gonna go with the more informed views of professionals who have actually listened to - and measured - the unit over your a priori opinions. They say it represents state of the art performance, regardless of size and expense. And I thought you didn’t think measurements mattered? What is size but a measurement? It’s like saying a new, smaller iphone can’t be as good as a older, big one. Technology moves forward. But thanks for commenting. |
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