Best DACs comparison test result [[My Subjective Opinion]]

[marslo]

Dear Verrastar,

I must have the picture of La Fontaine from the review by Audio Video magazin, will post it when found, mine is no 50.

 

[marslo]

Is it good enough?

 

[thyname]

Great thread!

I am looking to upgrade my current DAC -- an Ayre QX-5 Twenty. I have shortlisted to the following list. Which one would you recommend:

1 - MSB Discrete
2 - dCS Bartok
3 - Mola Mola Tambaqui
4 - Chord DAVE (add the M Scaler later)
5 - Keep my Ayre QX-5 Twenty, do nothing

Thanks!

 

[Alrainbow]

Are you open to a tube dac like Lampi.
I say this as SS dacs while being technically better on paper seem to lack the palpable part in some ways. A tube just adds that wow it's real music factor.
And I don't sell LAMPI lol.
The chord DAVE needs a Up scaller too. For me and please don't bash native is music then rest is pcs of it. Great and not so great in parts. Native is best.

 

[sbo6]

Looks like your budget goes up to ~$20k? If so I'd recommend the Aqua Formula xHD and the TotalDAC d1-Seven.

 

[CKKeung]

I like Aqua Formula xHD and Totaldac Six.

And you can add a Totaldac Reclocker to any of your dac choices later as upgrade, except the Chord DAVE because it has to be paired with the M-Scaler.

 

[sbo6]

I like Aqua Formula xHD and Totaldac Six.

And you can add a Totaldac Reclocker to any of your dac choices later as upgrade, except the Chord DAVE because it has to be paired with the M-Scaler.

I'm curious how the D1 reclocker would sound with the Formula since, as I underdtand it the Formula sounds best using USB in, not AES or SPDIF...

 

[awsmone]

Great thread!

I am looking to upgrade my current DAC -- an Ayre QX-5 Twenty. I have shortlisted to the following list. Which one would you recommend:

1 - MSB Discrete
2 - dCS Bartok
3 - Mola Mola Tambaqui
4 - Chord DAVE (add the M Scaler later)
5 - Keep my Ayre QX-5 Twenty, do nothing

Thanks!

I can only comment on the Emm labs, if u can get a DA2 I think you will be happy

 

[Ron Resnick]

At $20,000 I recommend the MSB Premier DAC with two power supplies (KeithR’s system).

 

[thyname]

Thanks guys! Some very good advice here. Although I would like to keep this as close to $10-12K as possible. Now.... If I got a great $20K DAC for less, I would not object

 

[thyname]

At $20,000 I recommend the MSB Premier DAC with two power supplies (KeithR’s system).

Once you add the second discrete PS, and a module or two for it to work, the price goes over $23-24K. I don't have that kind of money.

 

[wisnon]

Thanks guys! Some very good advice here. Although I would like to keep this as close to $10-12K as possible. Now.... If I got a great $20K DAC for less, I would not object

Get the Lampi GA TRP with volume Control for circa $10K, then get 3/4 pairs of pentodes, EH 6CA7, Phillips/Mullard EL34, vintage Brimar 6L6 and a good pair of either KT 66, 77 or 88. Ultimate would be GEC/Cossor KT88 and then you can fine tune the TRP to almost ANY sound you want. I have seen it and heard it in action. Astounding value...the sweetspot in Lampi-land. Thank me later!

 

[asiufy]

Once you add the second discrete PS, and a module or two for it to work, the price goes over $23-24K. I don't have that kind of money.

Get a Discrete then. It can be upgraded to Premier later, and you keep the same modules/power supplies.

 

[Al M.]

It's pretty funny how everyone gives their personal pet recommendation with the utmost confidence that the buyer will like it. Regardless if the buyer has never auditioned the unit, and found it corresponding to his personal priorities and tastes.

For such a high entry price I wouldn't take the gamble to go on some recommendation by a stranger whose tastes I don't know. Actual auditioning of the unit prior to purchase is paramount.

 

[thyname]

It's pretty funny how everyone gives their personal pet recommendation with the utmost confidence that the buyer will like it. Regardless if the buyer has never auditioned the unit, and found it corresponding to his personal priorities and tastes.

For such a high entry price I wouldn't take the gamble to go on some recommendation by a stranger whose tastes I don't know. Actual auditioning of the unit prior to purchase is paramount.

Sure... absolutely agree that paying that much money without auditioning (preferably in my house, with my own equipment, in my room) does not make much sense. However, there is nothing wrong with "taking" recommendations, which help me build a list that I can use to research then find a way to audition my shortlist

 

[Al M.]

Sure... absolutely agree that paying that much money without auditioning (preferably in my house, with my own equipment, in my room) does not make much sense. However, there is nothing wrong with "taking" recommendations, which help me build a list that I can use to research then find a way to audition my shortlist

Sure, that makes sense.

I am just smiling about the supreme confidence with which some recommendations are given here, when they don't even know what you personally like and don't like. Many think their own personal tastes are absolute and applicable to everyone.

 

[microstrip]

For such a high entry price I wouldn't take the gamble to go on some recommendation by a stranger whose tastes I don't know. Actual auditioning of the unit prior to purchase is paramount.

IMHO an audio recommendation in a forum is just an advice on what is worth listening and the reason why we think so. What else should one expect?

 

[Al M.]

IMHO an audio recommendation in a forum is just an advice on what is worth listening and the reason why we think so. What else should one expect?

True. Yet the tone of some posts tries to suggest a bit more .

 

[Ron Resnick]

Once you add the second discrete PS, and a module or two for it to work, the price goes over $23-24K. I don't have that kind of money.

Then just stay with the basic Premier unit, and the power supply that comes with it.

 

[thyname]

Then just stay with the basic Premier unit, and the power supply that comes with it.

I would need at least one of the modules to have it work with Roon. Either the Ethernet Bridge / renderer module, or the USB MQA module to hook up my Innuos ZENith MK3 via USB.

Anyways .... I am just looking at the Discrete now. Premier is definitely out of my reach