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.
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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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. |
No good luck to you, I do not need luck, luck is for those who do not plan or have a strategy for success.
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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. |
@foggyus91 I am sure you have planned everything perfectly and have an amazing strategy for success. I’ll take your word for it I’ve completed building my system (it evolved quiet a bit over a relatively short period of time), at least for foreseeable future - done with digital. Just putting on a few finishing touches on the analog front end right now as that part’s new. |
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