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DAC suggestions for Leben CS-300X

post #1 of 4
2/13/12 at 9:55pm
Thread Starter 

I am looking to buy a DAC that will to sit behind my Leben CS-300X Tube Amplifier. My budget is around A$1700. Would welcome any suggestions? Leben (or any tube amp) owners please feel free to chime in.

After reading various reviews, forums, blogs etc...I have shortlisted the following so far...
 

  1. EE Minimax (with op-amp and tube upgrades) + Audiophellio 2 (Looks like a great value)
  2. EE Minimax Plus (with op-amp and tube upgrades) + Audiophellio 2 (Not sure if this will be any better than 1)
  3. Audio-gd Ref 5 + Audiophellio 2
  4. Lite Audio Dac 83 + Audiophellio 2 (A bit out of my budget but willing to consider if no brainer)
  5. Metrum Octave + Audiophellio 2 (Read a lot of good things about this DAC)

 

Any thoughts or suggestions on the above?


Thanks

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post #2 of 4
5/2/12 at 11:26am

I would go with number 5. I have its baby brother, the Quad, and I can now listen to digital without a distinct desire to return to my turntable..
 

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post #3 of 4
5/3/12 at 7:43pm

Do they  still produce Ref 5?  I can't see it in their  website though.

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post #4 of 4
5/3/12 at 8:32pm
Thread Starter 

I have since bought an EE Minimax and tried various tubes and op-amps...but have now settled for 7136 tubes and OPA2604 & AD797B op-amps. I like how they sound with my Leben CS300X. I am yet to add the Audiophellio 2 into the chain though...
 

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