thank you...that is very helpful. And wow...impressive. I am going to make a point to try to hear it.
The very best DACs today...
- Thread starter j.phelan
- Start date
thank you...that is very helpful. And wow...impressive. I am going to make a point to try to hear it.
Yes, but at least as much if not more can be gained by avoiding A/D conversion. For MCH, I first fed the Trinnov analog through my Marantz UD9004, and switching to a modded Oppo with MCH digital out board was a major step up.
Quite frankly, I don't think one needs to spend anywhere near the amounts some of these DACS cost, in order to get fabulous sound. The Ayre QB9 DSD DAC compares very favorably with the high priced spread I've auditioned.
Hopefully you're right as I'm waiting on the LH Labs Geek Pulse DAC. The ones mentioned so far are way above my buy-scale.
Agreed- I've been running the latest QB9 from Ayre, and it is great! Admittedly, only usb limits it somewhat, but wow, it really brings it on, and doesn't have any listening fatigue. Hard to justify exorbitant $ for DACs who's benchmark changes so quickly, unless of course, money is no object.
Yes I was. Almost exactly one year ago. They're finally started to ship product!
Yes, crazy $$
And then you have DACs that offer "crazy" fine sound for under $4K, like the new 5th Generation Lampizator DSD DAC....
http://positive-feedback.com/Issue76/lampizator_dac.htm
Indeed! Unless I'm mistaken, the Lampi designer found AN DACs worthy of merit.I very briefly heard a Lampi DAC set-up at the most recent Newport show, but didn't spend
much time, there. The staff invited me back later indicating a different Lampi DAC would be
available. Alas, I never made it back to the room
I agree. Lampizator is redefining expectations on what is possible from a DAC. Congratulations to Lukasz, Fred, Berto and the team at Lampizator.
This will encourage more music fans to have a listen to what the Lampizator team has created. They will be impressed!
Also on the Writer's Award list for 2014, Sony's HAP-Z1ES Digital Music Server. A "music appliance" for the music fan that wants just the music - without all of the cables associated with Computer Audio.
And Native DSD.Com - now at over 400 DSD Downloads (Stereo, Multichannel & Binaural DSD) from native DSD recordings and Analog Tape to DSD transfers.
http://positive-feedback.com/Issue76/awards2014.htm
After several years being analog only I discoverd digital again with. The Computer Audio. design 1543 DAC. It is built with 16 Philips 1543 16 bits DAC 176 kHz. It is made to be connected only to a computer via USB. Power supply with some of the best parts (Duelund etc.).
Recently I add his drive called the Computer Audio Transport and the performance get one to 2 notch higher. Go on his website and you can learn how to tune your computer driving you DAC for the best possible performance if you can't afford the CAT.
I'm really happy with the performance that can't be reduced to an "analog sounding" DAC but a really musical one. The one that make you forget about technique and immerse you in music very easily. Some times ago I had the occasion to hear (not at home) a Zanden DAC coupled with his own drive and I can say the Computer Audio Design is in the same category.
Recently I add his drive called the Computer Audio Transport and the performance get one to 2 notch higher. Go on his website and you can learn how to tune your computer driving you DAC for the best possible performance if you can't afford the CAT.
I'm really happy with the performance that can't be reduced to an "analog sounding" DAC but a really musical one. The one that make you forget about technique and immerse you in music very easily. Some times ago I had the occasion to hear (not at home) a Zanden DAC coupled with his own drive and I can say the Computer Audio Design is in the same category.
Fantastic news...as a fellow Philips 1541/3 user
...enjoy! I know something of what you are hearing, and can say i have stopped looking at digital other than as a learning experience or for just curiosity a long time ago. Felicitations!
I have the Big 7 Lampi now, will get it to your place to give you a listen. Since you don't get out much to listen to music, and keep losing friends on all forums
I will help you gain exposure to quality NOS dac stuffTell us which applies to you - you've heard it & this is your deaf opinion or you've not heard it & this is your stock answer about tubes?
I have the Big 7 Lampi now, will get it to your place to give you a listen. Since you don't get out much to listen to music, and keep losing friends on all forums
Do you really think he can be saved?
I need the best DAC for 16/44 redbook !
*********************************
This may be against the curent high-res trend, but for some reasons I need to change my strategy !
Indeed, I just bought from a friend of mine who is an audiophile/opera fanatic a lot of 2500 rare classical CD. This was unexpected but now... I have a loooong ripping job to do
Anyway, this change my focus from HighRes to redbook. Indeed, now I need to find a system that can really provide it's BEST SQ out of 16/44 rather than a DAC that need super high resolution or DSD to be at it's best !
I have the hUGO and I am testing now the DP-777SE, and I am looking for other suggestion for a 16/44 champion ? I heard about the Berkeley reference serie as a 16/44 champ, but it is not imported in Europe due to lack of RoHS certification. Does the NAGRA HD DAC be a 16/44 champ or rather a DSD champ ? other suggestions ???
(same thing apply to the Music server: I do not want to mess with NAS, so I was investigating ARIES or AURENDER (with USB HD), but now I look instead toward Antipode DX & the Baetis Server rather than ARIES or Aurender because of their built-in ripping possibility. Any other suggestion for Music Server PLUS ripper )
thanks in advance
*********************************
This may be against the curent high-res trend, but for some reasons I need to change my strategy !
Indeed, I just bought from a friend of mine who is an audiophile/opera fanatic a lot of 2500 rare classical CD
. This was unexpected but now... I have a loooong ripping job to do Anyway, this change my focus from HighRes to redbook. Indeed, now I need to find a system that can really provide it's BEST SQ out of 16/44 rather than a DAC that need super high resolution or DSD to be at it's best !
I have the hUGO and I am testing now the DP-777SE, and I am looking for other suggestion for a 16/44 champion ? I heard about the Berkeley reference serie as a 16/44 champ, but it is not imported in Europe due to lack of RoHS certification. Does the NAGRA HD DAC be a 16/44 champ or rather a DSD champ ? other suggestions ???
(same thing apply to the Music server: I do not want to mess with NAS, so I was investigating ARIES or AURENDER (with USB HD), but now I look instead toward Antipode DX & the Baetis Server rather than ARIES or Aurender because of their built-in ripping possibility. Any other suggestion for Music Server PLUS ripper )
thanks in advance
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