DACs under $3000 that compete with very good LP playback
- Thread starter Don C
- Start date
I think the answer to this is rather dependent on the level of your analog rig. If you have a $500 table and an inexpensive cart then there will be plenty of DACs out there that will meet or surpass your expectations. If you have a much more expensive analog rig then it will be more of a challenge. Once you start moving up the ladder on your analog rig I think you'll find it increasingly difficult and expensive to keep the digital competitive if you love the sound of vinyl. That exact scenario kept me upgrading for quite a while until I realized that they are simply different formats and for me at least some recordings were mastered better for analog(vinyl) and others did a better job with the digital master or did a poor job with the analog master. Leads to me own the same recording in multiple formats but for me at least its kind of fun to try and see which format sounds best for my favorite recordings. Disclaimer ... I do tend to favor the sound of vinyl all else being equal.
George
George
While I have limited exposure to dacs I can unequivocally recommend the Lampizator Amber 3. it will hold its' own in a hi res system. There are a lot of good dacs from a technical perspective. The question is can the convey the soul of music. That is question for you.
As i heard the above proposal several times in my system I strongly believe A3 ticks all the boxes you mentioned...
The Musical Fidelity M6sR Dac sounds like a Good Analog Setup
i like the Dacs from this Company over Years, rich tone really good resolution
www.musicalfidelity.com
i like the Dacs from this Company over Years, rich tone really good resolution
Musical Fidelity | M6sR DAC DAC
M6sR DAC | DAC (DISCONTINUED) The M6sR DAC is a revised M6s DAC with Native DSD Support and Roon Tested certification - Now Fully Made in EU....
I am not sure what "boxes" mean. Your results are certainly at odds with mine. It may well be our results are system dependent. I think it is worth a try.
If I may mix metaphors the Amber checked all those boxes in spades. YMMV.
I was not thinking of a $500 turntable.
More like a perfectly set up $8000 turntable with a $3000 mc cartridge.
I have one of these and like it very much. A bargain for the price.
That is what I thought!
long live vinyl !
digital and expensive DACs do not match perfectionist vinyl playback today even with the most expensive DACs!.
And no one can dispute that, even on the What’s Best forum.
Tubes and/or NOS/R2R are your best bet. DSD files or SACDs also can get you close.
Vlad’s great to deal with also, I had a set of his 6c33c monos before young children became inquisitive...
Maybe check out the Luxman DA-250.
Always wanted AMPS, CD and DACS that gave the most detailed sound, was a huge fan of micro detail. Always had the feeling i was missing out on something. Friend had bought a Luxman Amp, missed the micro datils but so very much enjoyed the rich and fluid way of how it sounded. So had a demo with the Luxman DA-250 DAC, also for having a good headphone amp, and ordered one the very same day.
Sound is warmer/richer then most dacs, almost like a valve sound, plenty of details and the highs are just awseome sounding.
Yes, all personal taste and system depending on the match but for me it was a fantastic upgrade.
Always wanted AMPS, CD and DACS that gave the most detailed sound, was a huge fan of micro detail. Always had the feeling i was missing out on something. Friend had bought a Luxman Amp, missed the micro datils but so very much enjoyed the rich and fluid way of how it sounded. So had a demo with the Luxman DA-250 DAC, also for having a good headphone amp, and ordered one the very same day.
Sound is warmer/richer then most dacs, almost like a valve sound, plenty of details and the highs are just awseome sounding.
Yes, all personal taste and system depending on the match but for me it was a fantastic upgrade.
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