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Best DAC under $2000

post #1 of 41
6/18/06 at 1:46am
Thread Starter 
Well, the time for my next purchase is drawing nearer so I was wondering what the best DAC under $2000 is? I know the Storm D02 is supposed to be a great bargain for the money, but I was thinking about something a little higher end, used is fine too. Here are some I've been looking into:

-Stello DA200
-Krell Studio DAC
-Theta Gen V
-Music Fidelity Tri-Vista 21

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I also plan on buying a new source around that price range so, more suggestions would be great, right now I'm leaning towards a used Krell KAV-300CD.
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post #2 of 41
6/18/06 at 2:39am
How about the DA220 MKII ?

I like the DA220 a lot.
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post #3 of 41
6/18/06 at 3:49am
Musical Fidelity A324.
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post #4 of 41
6/18/06 at 4:50am
storm digital also offers a D-01 which is probably around 2grand
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post #5 of 41
6/18/06 at 11:56am
BTW what makes you think that storm digital isn't high end?
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post #6 of 41
6/18/06 at 12:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lan
BTW what makes you think that storm digital isn't high end?
I think a markup of at least 100% is in order,
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post #7 of 41
6/18/06 at 3:53pm
You might also want to consider the CI Audio VDA2 with external power supply. It's a killer combo mated with a good cable, will run a little over $1000.
http://www.ciaudio.com
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post #8 of 41
6/18/06 at 3:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by lan
BTW what makes you think that storm digital isn't high end?
I'm a brand name whore . I also heard the Northstar M192 DAC is supposed to be good but no balanced outs. Any other suggestions?

Thanks, David
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post #9 of 41
6/18/06 at 5:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by skyline889
Any other suggestions?
Electrocompaniet ECD-1.

It has RCA and balanced out. I have no experience with this unit, but it falls in your price range and is supposedly very good. It certainly looks awesome though.
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post #10 of 41
6/18/06 at 6:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by skyline889
I'm a brand name whore . I also heard the Northstar M192 DAC is supposed to be good but no balanced outs. Any other suggestions?
Are you getting a CD player AND a DAC?
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post #11 of 41
6/18/06 at 6:57pm
Bel Canto DAC3. I would seriously consider it. My DAC2 produces such natural sound it's incredible. Not unnatural, like warm NOS DACs or cold either.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Borat
Electrocompaniet ECD-1.

It has RCA and balanced out. I have no experience with this unit, but it falls in your price range and is supposedly very good. It certainly looks awesome though.
I've considered upgrading to the ECD-1 as well. Very favorable reviews.

Another good one is the X-V3 bundle from Musical Fidelity.
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post #12 of 41
6/18/06 at 7:07pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by lan
Are you getting a CD player AND a DAC?
Hopefully, if I can find another Krell KAV-300CD then yes, I'll buy both. If that's the case then I might have to lower the DAC price to around $1500 for used. If not I might just buy a Wadia 830 and not buy an external DAC. What do you guys think would be the better choice?
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post #13 of 41
6/18/06 at 7:33pm
I think having both is a bit redundant for only music purposes. But if you use your computer setup often, DAC is a valid option as you can use it on your computer to play games and stuff. If you do get both, an amp with multiple inputs or two separate amps is a good thing to have also.

I would also look into the Stello DA220. It's fairly even handed in all performance areas.
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post #14 of 41
6/18/06 at 7:39pm
Thread Starter 
Wouldn't I just be able to use the DAC as a switch instead of two amps?

Also have any of you guys had any experience with the Krell Studio DAC, it would match the 300CD, has multiple balanced outputs and inputs, but I can't find any specs or reviews on it. I was also looking at the DA220 earlier but it seems no one has had a chance to try it out yet.
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post #15 of 41
6/18/06 at 7:49pm
DAC is only a source usually so has outputs. You'd need a source selection device / preamp to choose from multiple sources. DACs usually don't have that built in.

Iron Dreamer and some of the california crew has heard his DA220.

Oski and some of the NYC crew has heard his DA220. We like it. But there's not much else to say.
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