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Which DACs sound analog-like, fun, and musical? - Page 2

post #16 of 66
1/28/09 at 7:33pm
Thread Starter 
Interesting suggestions so far. Will research them more and try to audition if possible.

So would the best NOS DAC be better than the best oversampling DAC for this purpose? Or are there oversampling DACs that can give the "best of both worlds"?
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post #17 of 66
1/28/09 at 7:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gevorg View Post
Interesting suggestions so far. Will research them more and try to audition if possible.

So would the best NOS DAC be better than the best oversampling DAC for this purpose? Or are there oversampling DACs that can give the "best of both worlds"?
DA100 Signature does 16/44.1, 24/96, and 24/192. The better the recording the less over sampling you need. Its a vey nice sounding dac too. Its punchy, dynamic, smooth and doesnt add any color to the music. Absolutly love mine.
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post #18 of 66
1/28/09 at 7:56pm
The current DAC that I am using which is a HifiDIY.net PCM1793 OverSampling unit, was purchased for a lowly $69.00 off a China eBayer. It was an assembled DIY kit with a built in OPA2134PA Preamp

To my ears, the DAC offered the most analogue sound that I have ever put my ears on. I have heard Benchmark DAC1 (optical) before and to me even the DAC1 is a bit "unreal" with the over emphasized clarity. The PCM1793 DAC is on the other hand, sounds very realistic and slightly tubey.

More details on my sig.

Cheers
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post #19 of 66
1/28/09 at 8:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sherwood View Post
I find my ECD-1 to be extremely musical. A very nice, smooth midrange and no hint of etch in the treble. You can pick one up for around $1000 usually.
You own one of these too? Cool. I got mine used for around $1000, and I agree with your assessment. One of the best purchases I ever made.
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post #20 of 66
1/28/09 at 8:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aimless1 View Post
Three Dacs in particular get good press here...Electrocompaniet ECD-1, Bel Canto Dac3 and the Northstar MK II. All are great values used. I have the Dac3 and particularly value how neutral it is. I would agree that it still has a "digital" sound to it, though very musical. I intend to keep it even though I have been enjoying the Blue Circle SBD.

I wonder if NOS (non over sampling) dacs do a better job of producing a more analog sound?
And Chord DAC64 rules them all.
Yes, it's possible to find used one under $2K.
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post #21 of 66
1/28/09 at 8:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gevorg View Post
So would the best NOS DAC be better than the best oversampling DAC for this purpose? Or are there oversampling DACs that can give the "best of both worlds"?
I wouldn't call it analog-sounding at all, but Bryston's BDA-1 gives you the option of oversampling or not oversampling if you want the choice.
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post #22 of 66
1/29/09 at 8:05am
The AudioNemesis DC-1 (upgraded or not) is both NOS and multi-bit, with discrete I/V conversion. It's drawback is one digital input only which is coaxial.
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post #23 of 66
1/30/09 at 9:38am
The OMZ DAC is more than musical. It is very revealing and still very musical, due to the lowest noise in its discrete output stage.
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post #24 of 66
1/30/09 at 9:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilS View Post
You own one of these too? Cool. I got mine used for around $1000, and I agree with your assessment. One of the best purchases I ever made.
I had one as well, and I would say it was very musical as well. A gorgeous piece of equipment as well.
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post #25 of 66
2/2/09 at 2:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bordins View Post
The OMZ DAC is more than musical. It is very revealing and still very musical, due to the lowest noise in its discrete output stage.
I would like to second this. I have the OMZ and it is indeed very musical and rich while maintaining a good balance. The midrange is sweet and the lowend present without anything being too powerful or prominent. I really enjoy the sound I get from it.

The Ack!Dack! looks really interesting, though. I like its design principles of simple, short and clean path.
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post #26 of 66
2/2/09 at 3:32am
Chord DAC 64 ...very hard to find used, but at right at 2Kish; there's a reason it won so many awards.

Next would be the Electrocompanient (I can never spell that word) at around $1100 used.

Under 1K, I would consider the MDHT NOS Havana.
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post #27 of 66
2/2/09 at 11:42am
I'm still totally impressed with the audio-gd 3SE dac, the most musical and 'grin' inducing bit of kit i've ever bought..
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post #28 of 66
2/2/09 at 4:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lornecherry View Post
Chord DAC 64 ...very hard to find used, but at right at 2Kish; there's a reason it won so many awards.
They are not that scarce, actually, just keep an eye on ebay.co.uk.
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post #29 of 66
2/3/09 at 4:41pm
Is it just me or is everyone just recommending the DAC they just happen to own? Odd.

That said. I kinda like my stello DA100, but I wouldn't know if it's the most musical out there since I haven't heard that many DACs in a higher price range. Probably there are better things out there.
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post #30 of 66
2/3/09 at 4:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EnOYiN View Post
Is it just me or is everyone just recommending the DAC they just happen to own? Odd.
Many people own the DAC that they do because they auditioned other DAC's and ended up with the one that sounded the best to them.
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