Upgrade from an Aqua LaVoce DAC

my experience with the laiv dacs is they are quite pretty audio jewelry but sonically they are ’meh’

suggest you try a chord or a weiss or older msb

Gents,

I have the S3 version and absolutely love it, but have a pocket-full of cash due to some sales and thought there might be somewhat improved SQ with the La Scala and the seller felt both the LF and HF extension was improved with the upgrade.  I got a lot of great opinions on the upgrade, but I decided to buy the La Scala which arrives on Wednesday.  The "warmth" of the Aqua DAC favored staying with the brand.  I will report back my listening impressions with the La Scala.  There are so many great dacs in this price range, but when I win the lottery, I will get a bigger rack and a very fine Lampizator DAC!  Thank you for your comments.

I'm curious what your impressions are of the Aqua 3 vs. the La Scala?

I see used Aqua 3's available in my price range but one thing holding me back is Aqua is no longer selling them so I assume the modular upgrades they were touting as making the Aqua future-proof will not really be forthcoming or much of a priority if so.

Thanks for any insight.

 

I got the La Scala and am super impressed with the increase SQ in my system, immediately obvious.  It just has "more" of the same goodness of the S3, a more vivid musical presentation.  I'd say it has been the most significant SQ improvement in my system compared to any other upgrades I have made in a long time.  I am very happy with it.