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Hi All,
As I'm looking to treat myself to a newer DAC come December, and since I'm not able to get about and demo items as I once could......., I merely wanted to inquire about said few options, of which I've narrowed my logical choices down to, yet could still use your input, just in case any of you've actually owned?, or heard them?.
With that being said, shall we proceed to said options as they relate to pricing, as well as sonic characteristics.
Based upon what I'd find on various forums, it seems the MDHT Orchid DAC ( $1.310 ) reads like a great place to start...., followed by the Denafrips Pontus ll ( $1.679 or thereabouts ) once again reads like a great thing to look into as well, this followed by what as I see as the price point I never wanted to enter, but felt " WTF " let's go for it, in the Exogal Audio Comet Plus DAC ( $3.500 including its dedicated LPS ).
Please know that I'm not so much concerned about Hi-Rez type of playback as I was say just 9 years ago, yet am seeking a DAC which offers a sense of musicality that's natural above all else, with a greater sense of spaciousness | timing | refinement | detailing ( but not at nose bleeding levels I'd add ) that I could possibly live with for at the very least the next 5-8 years......, as I'm well aware this is one area in audio where the technology side of things changes within 3-6 months, if not sooner?.
TIA!, to all you willing to share your insight on said matters, as well as maybe make several logical recommendations on my behalf.
As my usual parting goes along the lines of late......., Be well | Stay safe to you all.
O_o scar
Follow Ups:
I just ordered the less is more for about $2300 shipped
Very, Very satisfied.
Could not be more pleased!
Thanks bwbosler,
That appears to be a great option, as I've just been rethinking things, and have added the PS Audio Stellar GainCell onto my shortlist as well.
Logic is, cost doesn't necessarily mean more expensive as being better...-...-., in so much as different sonically at times.
In the past I highly recommended the Marantz SACD players with DAC inputs, but unfortunately the latest models have received a substantial jump in price.If I had the need to replace my Marantz SA8004, I think I would buy a Topping D90SE.
It is not very pretty, but its measurements are second to none. I own the Topping D30, which I use for headphones, and it is already quite a fine DAC.
Edits: 09/13/21
Hello telackey,
I've narrowed down said options, and as per my wife's recommendation have decided to go all out and purchase the LessLoss Echo's End Original DAC and be done with it once and for all...-...-...-, at this point in life, I've grown tired of reading or adding post on many of the forums which I once frequently enjoyed.
I believe one is only tempted to exchange gear the more they read about it, in my case I'd care less what the next breakthrough is ( or becomes the fave of the month...-...-, month after more, or year after year ) as there is a point where one merely has to understand how to get the best of what they own, and readjust their mindset to be content, as I've long become more involved in actual listening sessions, then I had in my youth...-...-.., said sense of maturity or growth doesn't come easy, but at least I'm able to admit to myself, my journey has indeed come to its end.
Signing off for now.
O_o scar
I was prepared to buy the regular edition Audio Mirror Tubadour III but noticed that it's now disco in favor of the $2500.00 SE model. Have to contact them to see if there will be a new model in the price point...the SE has gotten great press, but like you, $1500.00 was where I was shopping.
Also considered the Pontus, maybe will again.
bgunn,
Said Audio Mirror had caught my attention earlier on, until I noticed all the tubes it requires, in my mind maybe 1 or 2 tubes is fine, but 4 isn't ideally what I've in mind as far as ownership these days.
As I see it, at some point tubes will dry up, and only those with extremely deep pockets will be welcomed to the club...-...-.., as it stands, I own about 20 quads of EL34 | 6CA7 | KT77 types | 13 pairs of 12AX7 | 9 single 12AX7s | 32 pairs of 6DJ8 | E88CC's that work with the 3 integrated amps I own that require them, enough to then last me the remainder of this life, and may even see me into the afterlife.
N/t
Thanks Ken,
It's a Lavardin IT Reference Red from France. I've been following them since 2003 or thereabouts.
Thanks Ken...-...-.
I think it'd much easier if you would outline your current system.
More and more DACs are becoming commodity products. I'd question if
it makes sense to go for $2000 DAC or more at all.
Usually there are much more relevant bottlenecks in a system that'd
be worth to look at before running for another DAC.
* Swapping my amp power cable made more of change than swapping my DAC
* tweaking my entry/mid level DAC (Gustard A18) quite efficiently lifted it IMO up a league or two.
Enjoy.
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blog latest >> The Audio Streaming Series - tuning kit pCP
Thanks for chiming in soundcheck,
I'll be certain to check out your blogspot. As I've narrowed down said choices even further, to just said Denafrips Pontus ll. | Exogal Comet Plus ( which includes the LPS ) as the latter as the one I wish to tap out with price wise at $3.500.
My system has been placed within the Imate System section from day one, and can be viewed here:
https://cgi.audioasylum.com/systems/10562.html
Thanks again.
You're running a Soncoz DAC. These are pretty clean playing fellows.
Did you try all the standard tweaks:
* fuse
* USB cable and filters
* power cable
* optimized transport (my suggested solution)
* DAC filter settings
Soncoz is supposedly slightly better then my Khadas TB1 - without tweaks.
My tweaked Gustard A18 slightly beats might tweaked Khadas TB1.
And from what I read the non-tweaked A18 beats the small Denafrips.
The air gets thinner for all these machines out there.
I'd be really surprised if a well tweaked/integrated Soncoz would have problems to compete against your candidates.
Why not start playing around with a nice RPI4/Allo-Shanti/pCP combo instead.
It's a lot of fun and you might end up with one of the best computer based transports out there - for a start.
Good luck.
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blog latest >> The Audio Streaming Series - tuning kit pCP
I haven't heard any of the 3 DACs you mentioned, I imagine you would not be disappointed with any of them but there is probably one you would prefer which may or may not be the most expensive one. The ideal situation would be to spend a week with each of them, if that were possible. Maybe you could do that if you were able to return them within a certain time.
I am happy with a Bryston BDA-2 I purchased used for $1250 a few months ago. I look forward to every listening session and am reluctant to turn the system off at the end (except that I am usually getting too sleepy to focus on the music!)
kh6idf,
I'd like to thank you as well for sharing said thoughts, as this is hopefully my last DAC, as I can't see justification in buying one every other year or so, and merely would like to invest wisely | be done with it.
As I've until the first week of December, to do all the research necessary, I'm certain in the end, it'll come down to one of the two as mentioned above in response to soundcheck's response.
Thanks again.
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