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Looking for a DAC $2500-$4000

Okay the digital part of my 2.1 system consists of a Line Magnetic 845 Premium Tube Amp, Tekton Encore Speakers, Cambridge CXN V2 Streamer, and an Oppo 205.

I'm running the Cambridge through the Oppo 205 to use it's DAC.

The Cambridge has a nice DAC that has been described as an every man's Streamer. It has a musical more analog sound to it.  The Oppo's DAC is more detailed but also sounds more analytical or clinical.

What I am looking for is something that can be both on a higher level.

The reviews I've read about the Musical Fidelity M6x DAC ($2500) seems to be what I'm looking for. 

Do any of you fine lovers of Streaming have any suggestions that I might add to my list to research? In the $2500 to $4000 range. Thanks for the help.

meambler
vthokie83
1,224 posts
 

Here's a few solid DACs for $4,000 or just under:

Denafrips Pontus 15th $2,019

Denafrips Venus 15th $4,000

Musician Aquarius $2,700

Weiss 204 $4,000

foamcutter
86 posts
 

I believe the Merason Frerot still fits within your budget. I'm using it in my main system and enjoy it daily.

agentwja
30 posts
 

@Foamcutter +1 on the Merason Frerot DAC. 
I purchased mine previously owned along with its separate power supply for for $1,850. total.  I have a vintage system; an MFA MAGUS tube pre, a pair of Meitner MTR monoblock amps to BOZAK 302 Urbans. The only modern devices I use are the Merason Frerot and a BLUESOUND NODE 2i.The Merason was a massive improvement when I bypassed the BLUESOUNDs internal dac. 

jk_richards's avatar
jk_richards
278 posts
 

You want a DAC that can keep up with the over 10K DAC’s?

Give this one a try:

The inside of the APS Audio Modified PS Audio Directstream DAC .

This is one of the best sounding DAC’s that does not sound digital.  The Limited Edition Signature Series PLUS

It’s a DSD / FPGA / Audio Transformer based DAC. No DAC chip!

 We compared this to many over 10K DAC’s and it always came out on top.

meambler OP
115 posts
 

Just wanted to say thank you for all the great suggestions. I have created a Docs folder with all of your recommendations and will start going over each one individually and then compare my top 5 to each other. Lots to learn.

@davide256 I probably will not be going beyond streaming music through Qobuz. So I don't think I will be purchasing and downloading High Res music files. But you got me thinking that I should get a better DAC with a USB connection for digital. The Cambridge doesn't have one. So I'm limited to Coaxial. Do you have any Streamers to recommend?

@kennyc What do the numbers in front of the DACs you suggested mean?

@pindac Lurk away. It's how I learn all kinds of stuff here in Audiogon.

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