Lampizator Pacific Vs Chord Dave + M Scaler

[Nuforce]

I am looking for a new DAC to go with my Aqua LinQ streamer and KR Audio P135 DHT preamp.

I'm considering both the Pacific and Dave + M Scaler.

I also have the MSB Discrete w/power supply on the radar.

I currently own a R2R dac with DHT output which sounds fantastic, so I guess I want the same lush tone but if I can get even better detail and instrument separation then great.

Logically the Pacific will be best as I already like the DHT (45) DAC sound, however how can I ignore the Dave and M Scaler...the glowing reviews are ubiquitous!

Not interested in the Aqua Formula, I don't feel that it is good value.

 

[eskamobob1]

I guess I want the same lush tone

IMO this outright precludes the dave. Dave + HMS is a fairly dry dry system tbh. Havent heard pacific or discrete to be able to comment tough.

 

[Sampajanna]

I upgraded from Dave +HMS to Pacific. I loved the Dave, but there is really no comparison. The upgrade was the biggest in my life. It was immediate and spanned the full spectrum of every quality I enjoy in audio. First 3 seconds blew me away. A good friend who isnt really into Hifi was sitting with me when we installed it (he helped move it in). He knew my system well. Anyway, he was blown away. He kept saying “beautiful“ over and over…. It inspired him to go buy a headphone rig… In other words, Pacific.

 

[dgale]

I upgraded from Dave +HMS to Pacific. I loved the Dave, but there is really no comparison. The upgrade was the biggest in my life. It was immediate and spanned the full spectrum of every quality I enjoy in audio. First 3 seconds blew me away. A good friend who isnt really into Hifi was sitting with me when we installed it (he helped move it in). He knew my system well. Anyway, he was blown away. He kept saying “beautiful“ over and over…. It inspired him to go buy a headphone rig… In other words, Pacific.

I’ve not heard the Pacific. However I recently upgraded my DAVE/M SCALER by adding the Sean Jacobs DC4/ARC LPSU to the DAVE. Expensive at $10K. However, it was the single most significant upgrade yet to my system. Immediately richer and at the same time more transparent textures, more solid bass, more expansive soundstage. It enhanced everything I enjoy about my system. I describe the effect as exponential. Of course, for the cost of DAVE/M SCALER plus the LPSU you should be able to compete with almost anything. Good luck. Synergy I suppose is also important as is one’s personal taste. I run Tannoy Kensington GR speakers with hybrid Pathos InPol Heritage integrated. They replaced D’Agostino and Rockports so that gives you an idea of what I am looking for sound wise. At least for now.

 

[Sampajanna]

PS I had 2X SJ PSU for Dave and HMS at the time of upgrading to Pacific, as described above.

 

[charles1dad]

PS I had 2X SJ PSU for Dave and HMS at the time of upgrading to Pacific, as described above.

I can understand the impact of the differences you experienced between these two DACs. Absolutely subjective, no argument whatsoever.

I can however imagine that the Pacific DAC took you to a very different place.
Charles

 

[dgale]

PS I had 2X SJ PSU for Dave and HMS at the time of upgrading to Pacific, as described above.

Wow! Way ahead of me. I have a Teddy Pardo LPSU on the M Scaler. Did you find benefit in adding the SJ to your M Scaler?