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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
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
8,040 posts
 

@mdalton chill the condescending tone.

I am aware of microchips and microcomputers.
I’m also aware of micro power supplies. They’re called wall warts. And that’s another reason why this unit is so compact. Similar concept as Chord DACs (except DAVE).

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. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
8,040 posts
 

I’ll also add that I don’t want to high jack this thread. So that’s as far as I’m going to dive into this discussion with you. 

mdalton's avatar
mdalton
813 posts
 

@audphile1 

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.

foggyus91's avatar
foggyus91
612 posts
 

No good luck to you, I do not need luck, luck is for those who do not plan or have a strategy for success. crying

the bed or you sold your streamer to buy another, you’re down.
That’s even before we consider the fact that some built in network cards are capable of replacing multi-thousand $ streamers. Good luck to you…

rog5878
7 posts
 

Wow

You have quite a lot to consider with all the responses and audiophile preferences.

Just adding my experience —

Current streamer set up with my speaker system 

N150 connected to 2 gb fios router

with Wywires Platinum usb to LTA Aero Dac with Ray Reserve tubes

Cadas Clear RCA to preamp

I prefer a full and engaging analogue midrange with good bass and not edgy or bright at the top end.

The Aero Dac with Ray Reserve tubes in this system is IMO outstanding — engaging midrange with detailed upper end, great stage and depth and impressive bass.

I burned in the Aero Dac with well over 1000 hours over a couple of months 

Most would say overkill is an understatement but having gone through this — well worth it.

 

Enjoy the search.

More to discover