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DACs - New vs. Old

The next change I want to make in my system is the digital front end. The system is currently CAL Icon MkII (no HDCD), Classe CAP-150 and Hales Rev 3s. Has anyone been able to do a direct comparison between used sub $1K and new dacs is that same range? I'd like to keep the Icon as a transport if I can so I can plumb the analog outs to the theatre pre-amp. I will also consider a new CD player if I have to. The nature of my current system has me leaning in the used Theta direction - HELP! Any comments are appreciated.
3728slingshot
argent
245 posts
 
Those Hales are probably begging for some good source material. If you can buy new I'd do it (or check the classifieds for some great deals on used (new) equipment. DACs today are arguably better than old ones. The Icon could probably be used as transport, but a quality DAC will probably cost you as much as a new player. Try the Musical Fidelity CD player. About a $1000 and has great sound.
davewavaolcom
193 posts
 
Try a pass labs D1- It is a dac w/volume control. You can bypass a preamp.

Used $1800.00 to $2500.00
audiotomb's avatar
audiotomb
1,112 posts
 
slingshot

I have an Icon and I've auditioned many of the expensive older dacs (sonic frontiers, Audio Research Dac3, Cal products). NOne of them hold a candle to the EVS Millenium II dac made by Ric Shultz

Do a search here on EVS or Millenium to see just how mind blowing this dac is. Takes up to 24/96 and upsamples to 192. The analog stages of this dac are awesome.

At $1050 it's a steal and with really open up a system musically.

www.tweakaudio.com

tom
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