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DAC nuances

Kia Ora from New Zealand,

I have a Esoteric K03 CD player, Technics sl-g700m2 amplifier, Eversolo DAC Z8, Audioquest Carbon USB cable, Furutech Alpha S22 rca cables and Auralic Aries G1.1 transport streamer. As we do with this hobby, I am exploring the sound each DAC can create. After listening to a range of music on each, I am back where I started with the Esoteric sounds best to me. What surprises me is that my 13 year-old Esoteric DAC out preforms the newer ones. I will see if I can audition a higher end DAC from a local shop here in Christchurch. 

jspnz
jspnz's avatar
jspnz OP
17 posts
 

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences. This morning an article from Headphonesy, A Compilation of 50+ Blind Tests Reveal the Only Gear Upgrades That Actually Matter was in my feed. There is section DACs included as one study. The Esoteric, Technics and Eversolo DACs all sound "good", it was the nuances between them that I found interesting. 

jond's avatar
jond
6,105 posts
 

A good Dac is a good Dac regardless of age. Happily listening to a circa 1995 Audio Note Dac-3 Signature and it sounds fantastic. 

dirkbusche
24 posts
 

Blessed is the one who owns an Esoteric DAC or CD player. There’s no need to debate how good it is—it’s a device that will last a lifetime.

g2the2nd
349 posts
 

If you don’t care about rez above red book, find an old Scott Nixon Tube DAC. 

jspnz's avatar
jspnz OP
17 posts
 

"Blessed is the one who owns an Esoteric DAC or CD player. There’s no need to debate how good it is—it’s a device that will last a lifetime."

Cheers Dirk, I do enjoy the Esoteric CD player/DAC combination. Scratching the old Audiophile itch of, "There must be someway to squeeze more sound" out this system can be both time consuming and costly (but fun too).

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