Help Me Choose a DAC

[Audiophilehi]

Looking for a stand alone DAC. I currently use the DAC's in my Oppo-UDP-205 and McIntosh c2500.

I need a DAC that is capable of decoding DSD. So the Schiit Audio Yggdrasil would not be an option. MQA would be a plus as well but not a deal breaker.

Here's what I'm looking at so far. Would prefer to keep it under $3,000.00

HoloAudio Spring Kitsuné Tuned Edition Level 3

Mytek HiFi Brooklyn DAC+

Benchmark Media Systems DAC3 HGC

Auralic Vega

Thanks

[nc42acc]

T&A DAC8
Doesn't your Oppo fully decode MQA already?

[nicoff]

Originally Posted by nc42acc

T&A DAC8
Doesn't your Oppo fully decode MQA already?

I agree with the T+A recommendation.
Yes, the Oppo can do MQA and also DSD.

[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by nc42acc

T&A DAC8
Doesn't your Oppo fully decode MQA already?

Thanks Marty but the T&A DAC8 is above my budget. ($3995)

Yes the Oppo does decode MQA but looking for a better DAC.

BTW Nice speakers...

[W9TR]

I’ve had the OppO UDP 205, Benchmark DAC 3, and Mytec Brooklyn DAC+ in my system at the same time.

The Brooklyn and Benchmark are both a cut above the OppO in terms of overall smoothness, lack of digital edginess and soundstage.

The Benchmark edges out the Brooklyn on red book material. The two are virtually identical on high resolution PCM and DSD formats.

So if you want MQA, get the Brooklyn. If you don’t care about MQA or listen predominately to red book, get the Benchmark.

Tom

[onehole150]

I have the Brooklyn. Don't know about the others your looking at; however the Brooklyn brought my system to life. I listen to Tidal 80-90% of the time.

[Audiophilehi]

Originally Posted by onehole150

I have the Brooklyn. Don't know about the others your looking at; however the Brooklyn brought my system to life. I listen to Tidal 80-90% of the time.

Originally Posted by W9TR

I’ve had the OppO UDP 205, Benchmark DAC 3, and Mytec Brooklyn DAC+ in my system at the same time.

The Brooklyn and Benchmark are both a cut above the OppO in terms of overall smoothness, lack of digital edginess and soundstage.

The Benchmark edges out the Brooklyn on red book material. The two are virtually identical on high resolution PCM and DSD formats.

So if you want MQA, get the Brooklyn. If you don’t care about MQA or listen predominately to red book, get the Benchmark.

Tom

Thank you both. Some very good information.

[JBT]

Best Dacs 2018



https://www.themasterswitch.com/best-dacs

[scirica]

Perhaps a little self-serving, but I think a Bryston BDA-3 would fit the requirements. No MQA though.

[doggiehowser]

For my money - get the TEAC NT-505

https://www.teac-audio.eu/en/product...05-149454.html



It is a baby Esoteric.

It uses the AKM4497 (dual mono) and the best part is network connected with MQA/DSDgazillionX and Roon compatible.

I love the AKM DACs - easily over the Sabre32 (even the 9038 in the 205) and one of the things often ignored in DACs is the transport.

Using a PC to stream to a DAC means you are dependent on a good AudioPC to deliver the goods or noise from the PC will pass through to the DAC.

Using a network streamer built into the DAC just takes the PC out of the equation.

I have found big improvements switching to the BridgeII (on my PS Audio DirectStream) and also on the network streaming of the iFi Pro iDSD (MQA/DSD as well but not Roon) and also with the new Naim Uniti