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I was looking to compare some of the newer non-sampling DACs to my current Ed Meitner designed Musatex DAC. Could you guys help me compile a list of products in the $2k and up category? I'm not really sure if there are any, other than the older Meitner gear, that's why I ask
note: while I understand that in these types of threads people like to interject with various "giant-killers" that are well under the OPs budget, but I'd appreciate to stay around the above price range
I was looking to compare some of the newer non-sampling DACs to my current Ed Meitner designed Musatex DAC. Could you guys help me compile a list of products in the $2k and up category? I'm not really sure if there are any, other than the older Meitner gear, that's why I ask
note: while I understand that in these types of threads people like to interject with various "giant-killers" that are well under the OPs budget, but I'd appreciate to stay around the above price range
Most dont know that the Empirical modded DAC-1 with I2S input is NOS. Also the I2S input on the Northstar 192 is NOS.
interesting. I hadn't thought about i2s stuff. However, I thought that the i2s required 24-bit data, so wouldn't the i2s have to be upsampled somewhere in the chain to work?
edit:
sorry, what I meant to say was "reclocked" not "upsampled".. Sorry, I was a bit confused.
Dunno where you got that idea. i2s bus is the native interface for 16 bit dac architectures. I have no idea whether it even passes 24 bit word length. Steve since you're here and I'm sure you dont mind tooting you're own horn, would you mind anwering some questions about your SS DAC (which also happens to be NOS correct?).
Have you decided if its going to be true balanced yet?
Any closer idea how much it will cost? If its around 7k I'd actually be really interested.
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Consonance Audio Turandot->Custom Balanced Singlepower->Sony Qualia 010/Headphile Grado PS-1
Dunno where you got that idea. i2s bus is the native interface for 16 bit dac architectures. I have no idea whether it even passes 24 bit word length.
The I2S interface dates back a while, it's true. But relating it to 16 bit DACs only is quite wrong
It actually supports digital streams from 16 to 32 bits, and sampling rates of 32, 44.1 and 48 kHz, or integer multiples of them.
Back on topic:
NOS D/A Converters around 2k $:
- 47 Labs Shigaraki or Progression DAC, upgradeable with separate PSU's
- Audio Note DAC 1.1 or 2.1 Signature (or non-signature)
- an all in one solution: Tentlabs NOS cd-player (I own one).
And (waaaaaaaaay) above your budget:
Zanden Model 5000, Audio Note high end DACs , etc
dont forget altmann attraction DAC, it is between $1000 and $1600 depending on a configuration. for many users it is the best sounding DAC regardless of a price.
[A bit off topic and no pun intended: Altmann products do have a fame for overpricing and overstating their products. The BYOB amplifier in particular is a known joke to many diyaudio.com engineers and veterans I know and respect]
Back on topic: The Altmann DAC deserves probably an audition (on my account as well - I haven't heard it yet).
High-end non-upsampling DACs
Linear Mode
