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CD Players, Digital Music & Servers Aurender, dCs, Esoteric, Lumin. |
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#1
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New DAC
All-
I am considering upgrading my current DAC (Mc C2500 build in). This comes on the heels of a possible pre-amp upgrade that will not have a built in DAC. Another story but for now I am concentrating on the DAC end of this "upgrade equation." One that strikes is the Benchmark series. I know at least one other member has been very happy with the Benchmark DAC's. Might anyone be able to offer a suggestion or two? Thanks!
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AKA J2Ordan McIntosh/Legacy/VPI/Bricasti/DIYCable Last edited by John Jordan; 10-02-2017 at 06:31 PM. Reason: proof read |
#2
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Hi John,
You'll get as many DAC recommendations as there are DAC's out there. Around the $2000 price point I'd look at: Benchmark DAC3 HGC Schiit Ygdrasil Mytec Brooklyn Chord Cordette 2Qute Why did I choose this price point? The performance of these DAC's is outstanding. DAC's are moving up the price/performance curve very rapidly, where a $2000 DAC today will best a $5000 to $10000 DAC just a few years older. So to me they represent a great interim solution. Get something great right now, and then replace it with something much better in a few years, probably at an even lower price point. Tom P.S. I'm on my second Benchmark DAC, the DAC3 HGC. Love it.
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#3
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D1100
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#4
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John
What kind of price cap are you looking at? Also whether or not DSD is important to you or not or even MQA will narrow down the market quite a bit after you have a price target.
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Jack |
#5
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John.......You might want to give serious consideration to the Mytek Brooklyn DAC. It has been favorably compared to the Benchmark DAC in a couple reviews I read. What sets it above the Benchmark in this price range are its features, most notably full MQA decoding. There are also line inputs, both analog and digital volume control or full bypass, single ended and balanced headphone outputs, and other unique features that make the Mytek Brooklyn DAC quite attractive at $1995.00. It is available in Black or Silver.
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Dan STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113 VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A Last edited by jdandy; 10-03-2017 at 10:57 PM. |
#6
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+1
Quote:
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#7
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Thanks everyone for your input. I will check out the Brooklyn. W9TR and Dan, I like your logic with the $2K price range.
I do ripped CD's in the AIFF format using a 2010 MacBook Pro for playback. Cd's spun on the 205 do have an edge. I question HI REZ downloads of music recorded decades ago. I'm taking this slowly as it all changes so quickly. I am also considering a used previous generation DAC (such as BNMK 2 Series) as a possibility. I guess next is to hear the pre-amp of consideration. That's a ride and a different thread away. I think you guys know what I am thinking!
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AKA J2Ordan McIntosh/Legacy/VPI/Bricasti/DIYCable |
#8
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Less than $2K price, I'd go with the Ayre Codex.
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#9
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I am a fan of the Simaudio Moon 280d which is in your price range.
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#10
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If you can find a good deal on it, IMHO the PS Audio DirectStream Junior would compete with (if not best) all of the great ones having been thrown here.
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Diapason Astera/McIntosh MA6600/PS Audio DSJr & DMP/Clearaudio Emotion SE. |
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