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help me decide ! Bel canto DAC 3, AGD DAC 3 ref , DAC 9 ref or else ???

post #1 of 8
11/14/10 at 6:41am
Thread Starter 

I am in search for a new DAC(single end) to upgrade my meier Stage DAC. I heard something good about the Bel Canto DAC3 ,but wonder how it holds up against the concurrent from Audio GD or another DACs. My budget is around 1400$,which is only enough for the used Bel Canto.

 

 

Please help me decide

 

thank you


Edited by coolcat - 11/14/10 at 6:44am
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post #2 of 8
11/14/10 at 7:47am

I went from the Meier Stagedac via the Havana to the Audio-GD Reference 5; not exactly what you are interested in since it is balanced, but I like it much more then the Stagedac.

Whereas the Stagedac has its strong points, enormous sound stage, deep deep bass and extended treble, I thought it was tonally flawed, sounding unnatural.

the Havana had better tonality too, but was ultimately to laid back for me with a restricted sound stage.

I first tried the Ref5 unbalanced, it sounded very good that way, but going balanced gave some small but noticeable improvements; tighter frequency extremes, more detail and dynamics.

So my recommendation would be something from Audio-GD, with 1704-DACs inside.


Edited by dura - 11/15/10 at 2:41am
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post #3 of 8
11/15/10 at 12:51am
Thread Starter 

thank for your input :P

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post #4 of 8
11/16/10 at 9:59am

I played around with the BC DAC 3 for a few weeks but ultimately didn't like it for its lack of musicality in my all solid state gears.  Perhaps, it would work better with a warmish set up.  I'm looking at the AGD offerings now myself. 

 

Kenobi

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post #5 of 8
11/16/10 at 5:05pm

Since you're in Germany, you might be able to find a used Accustic Arts Dac-1 within your budget.

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post #6 of 8
11/19/10 at 8:32am
Thread Starter 

thank you all.

I almost order the DAC 3 from audiogon (1400$) new.But I think I will not benefit much from the dac3 ,because my amp is single end.

I decide to go for the AGD ref 3 or 9 ,which are single end. Thank for your input

 

Tan

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post #7 of 8
11/19/10 at 8:32am
Thread Starter 

thank you all.

I almost order the DAC 3 from audiogon (1400$) new.But I think I will not benefit much from the dac3 ,because my amp is single end.

I decide to go for the AGD ref 3 or 9 ,which are single end. Thank for your input

 

Tan

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post #8 of 8
11/19/10 at 9:18am

Since the PCM1704's are rumoured to be in short supply, you might want to speed that order of the A-GD up ;-)

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