[LjF]

If you know and like the Havana dac but have moved on to something that you like even more, please tell me about it.
 
I love my Havana dac, but I want to upgrade from the Scott-Nixon tubedac+ that I use in my other system. My price range is up to 3k.
 
I have recently learned about the many modifications one can make to the Havana, and have upgraded to the K chips and fuse. They do make a difference, but still -- the right 3k dac has to outperform even a modded Havana, right?
 
So, if you like the Havana but have found better, what is it?
 
 
 

 

[Dynobot]

Since you love the NOS sound it might be hard for you to live with other types of Dacs for the long haul.
 
The only other >1K NOS Dac I know of off-hand are the Wavelength products.
 
 
 

 

[customcoco]

would you mind going second hand? 
 
or maybe this:http://www.sakurasystems.com/products/47dac.html

 

[gurus]

http://www.head-fi.org/t/561674/metrum-acoustics-octave
 
But the wait is about 8 weeks. Build quality and sound seems to be superlative.

 

[customcoco]

yeah I knew this one, from reputation. 
great reviews, but is it on really on par (or better than, which is op's request)  with a havana? have you heard it?

 

[gurus]

No, but I have one on order. It seemed like a no-brainer for me considering the price and the reviews it got so far.
 
I have never liked the anti-septic sterile sound of a lot of digital equipment. I find it too clean and subsequently the harmonics are  not right  and/as there is no decay.

 

[LjF]

@customcoco -- I'd go used in a minute -- re 47labs -- have you heard it?
 
@gurus -- very interesting -- sounds like a real possibility - Thanks.

 

[HiGHFLYiN9]

I'd imagine the Audio Note DAC2.1 or DAC3.1 would be a logical step up. Tube-based and 1x oversampling. 

 

[pigmode]

I've had the Audio Note CD 3.1x and the 47 labs Shigaraki dac. No Havana. If I were you, which I'm not, I'd be looking at Red Wine. If I ever decide to build a "musical" system, that would be my first blind choice.

 

[customcoco]

Quote:

@customcoco -- I'd go used in a minute -- re 47labs -- have you heard it?
 
@gurus -- very interesting -- sounds like a real possibility - Thanks.

no. but I've heard great things from people I have faith in.
 

 

[customcoco]

ack dack 2.0 maybe? 
http://www.ack-industries.com/dAck!.html
 
or this one: 
http://www.ilungo.com/page/productsframe.html

 

[Dynobot]

3K Budget...
 

 

[gurus]

Another one that looked interesting while I was searching for a DAC before I settled on the Metrum.
 
http://www.aprilmusic.com/eng/main/sub02_04_03.html
 
A bit too $$$ for my computer rig and as a second DAC but might serve your purpose.

 

[customcoco]

audio zone dac 1: 
 
http://audio-zone.ca/dac.html

 

[customcoco]

Quote:

3K Budget...
 

the zodiac + isn't exactly an nos dac...