Best DAC from $1500 to $2500 (or so) Can anything beat the Eastern Electric Minimax? - Page 10

Quote:

Originally Posted by googleli 

 

In Hong Kong, the price is more or less fixed at distributors. There are rarely used ones for sale - the last set I saw on the Hong Kong market was around US$50,000 (UV version).

It's still just a Burr-Brown PCM1704 inside you know... not a bad chip but it doesn't exactly need to cost 50 grand to get your hands on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by preproman 

 

 

Yes Dave,

 

I've been looking at this.  For this particular rig I guess it's come down to:

 

 

Master 8

Lavry DA11

Banchmark DAC1:  what's the benefit of this high current op-amp?

 

 

                                            DAC1  DAC1 USB   DAC1 Pre

 

 

State-of-the-art LME49860/LME4562 high-current op-amps

NO

Ouput stage only

Throughout entire analog stage

Earlier in the year I borrowed my friend's Larvy DA11 & SRM-007tA. This is going back via memory back then I found it hard to discern between the two possibly the Benchmark felt it had slightly more "slam". However now, I've just picked up the Fostex HP-A8 (and after some investment in the Oyaide MTB-4 power strip & VH Audio power cable), I find I'm beginning to appreciate it's more organic and 3D depth in soundstage over the Benchmark's more 2D slam. I'm not certain if my tastes have changed or if I'm bored with the Benchmark.

I may borrow my friend's DA11 again to compare with the HP-A8.

diy BB-Dac by Tomas Tichy (TomasT on forums) around $1500. I can only recomend it.. 

Well - I just got myself a pair of HD800s and I have to tell you that the HD800 straight out of the Anedio D1 is a stunning combo for analytical listening. No EQ'ing. No Extra amp. There is some real synergy here - the detail and clarity is otherworldly.

I never did like the HD650 straight out the Anedio, I felt that they needed more power to come alive. But somehow the HD800 seems easier to drive and is a much better match.

I don't even find the HD800 that lean sounding coming out of the Anedio. The Anedio is neutral DAC and the HD800s are on the lean side of the spectrum but I think the Anedio actually makes the HD800 feel more "grounded" - very interesting

customcoco - 24/192kHz, AD1853, don't need preamp for speakers just power amp, possible play with headphones on back via reduction - in my opinon very very good with most dynamic headphones (not sure but from memory I think 50Ohm -> 0,7W). It is very popular in and around my country, neutral sound. For many people sure end. For more info you will have to write him (wrote you pm), for me it is not easy write it in english.  

I've got a Wyred4Sound Dac2.  I think this is a great DAC and the best in this price range.  Getting beyond this in incremental moves I believe would cost the big $$.  Briscati, Antelope, and Wavelength Crimson come to mind. 

This is quite subjective..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icenine2 

I've got a Wyred4Sound Dac2.  I think this is a great DAC and the best in this price range.  Getting beyond this in incremental moves I believe would cost the big $$.  Briscati, Antelope, and Wavelength Crimson come to mind. 

What other DACs have you heard in that pricerange?  Have you heard the Bricasti, Antelope, or Wavelength DACs?  I'm just curious, as the statement is unqualified.

I have the MSB Platinum DAC III and the Oppo BDP-95, which uses the Sabre ESS9018 chip (same chip as the W4S). The Oppo is a nice player, but for the DAC portion the MSB is much nicer. When playing CD's the Oppo is used as a transport only. I wouldn't say it's incremental.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radio_head 

What other DACs have you heard in that pricerange?  Have you heard the Bricasti, Antelope, or Wavelength DACs?  I'm just curious, as the statement is unqualified.

Might have misread what he said.  He's saying those others are better but more expensive.  Unless you are of course countering that those others aren't better?

I would also add that in the lively sounding DAC market, the DAC-2 is a bargain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude 

 

Might have midread what he said.  He's saying those others are better but more expensive.  Unless you are of course countering that those others aren't better?

Intentional? (I would have to "misread" your post to understand it.)

I was highlighting two things:

W4S= "best in it's price range" - doesn't qualify by saying anything else he's tried in the price range.  I've owned at least three DACs in it's price range that I'd prefer to it (Calyx, base Zodiac, Lavry), and a couple I wouldn't (Burson, Benchmark)

Bricasti etc are better - doesn't qualify whether he's heard it or whether he just assumes it based on stereophile articles or the like.  It's an automatic correlation between price and performance that I would be uncomfortable making without hearing it myself. 

Can't say that I've heard either but the idea of a wall wart at $1500+ and value don't gel.  Granted both the Calyx and Zodiac have power sully upgrades, but then they aren't in the W4S price range any more.

Which two box DACs do you suggest at $1500 then?  I can't think of a DAC I've heard at that MSRP with external power supplies, let alone one with something like the Zodiac's feature set.