[OnlySoMany]

So.... This may be a bit of a reach, but I have been thinking of stepping up my dac setup into the unobtainable range.

Currently using a Chord Dave and BLU Mkll. All with very nice cables and power conditioner.

At CanJam, I was able to hear a few DACs that were excellent.

Currently looking at either the Thrax Maximinus ($38k) or the Nagra HD DAC X ($40-48k).

I heard the Maximinus through a Viva amp, and it was amazing.

I have only been able to read reviews of the Nagra, and every single one sings it's praises.

From what I had read about MSB, the sound signature may not be a fit for me.

What I am looking for is a bit more speed, control, accuracy, and depth. BUT I do not want to lose musicality.

Planning on running either through the WA33 for now, but this will also undergo an upgrade in the years ahead.

Will also be running the Naim ND555 through this DAC to my Dynaudio Confidence speakers.

Anyone have any experience with any of these?

 

[seenc]

Currently looking at either the Thrax Maximinus ($38k)

It is unlikely that the DAC with chinese clocks from Aliexpress and priced at $20 can be considered the ultimate DAC in any regard.

 

[OnlySoMany]

It is unlikely that the DAC with chinese clocks from Aliexpress and priced at $20 can be considered the ultimate DAC in any regard.

Does this one have that?

I'm clueless on either of these internally. I've heard the thrax and it was good. Have not heard nagra.

 

[seenc]

Does this one have that?

check it here https://www.thraxaudio.com/maximinus


and you can find it in ali

what did you say, a $38000 DAC!? I think someone wants money very greedily

 

[OnlySoMany]

check it here https://www.thraxaudio.com/maximinus


and you can find it in ali



what did you say, a $38000 DAC!? I think someone wants money very greedily

Yikes well that looks like no fun. What about the nagra dac? Do you feel like that would be a worthwhile upgrade from my current chord system?

 

[dunring]

There's room for improvement, if you check the ASR measurements of the Dave against others you can see where it stands. I've had about 40-50 DACs for the business, and over 116 SINAD the filters and color settings are the only way I can tell the difference. Only the AK4499 has slow filters with a treble rolloff that are really noticeable. It's one area I would just get one that hits a 120 SINAD, and has the aesthetics and connectivity you like/need.

 

[jimbop54]

Think of all the live music you could see for $38,000. No need to wonder if the DAC is “ good enough”

 

[DonaldM]

It seems to me that searching for the ‘ultimate’ dac is very difficult, as nearly nobody can have heard that many contestants against each other. You could also check which reviewer uses what top dac, but also beware they often get their dacs to reduced prices for this is free exposure from an ‘unbiased’ corner. Check also if the reviewer bias is in line with your own.
What I would do is check which middle class dacs are considered as outstanding and then check that brand’s top listings. Then check the differences between that well regarded dac and the top of the line. Go also to specialised websites and see which dacs are considered as outstanding (e.g. Computer Audiophile has several comparisons between top dacs and individual listening appraisals, Stereophile, 6moons and Abslute Sound as well). Try to listen to as many of the top of the line dacs as possible, this may take quite some time. Use a wide variety of music, but always the same music tracks, for your listening. Make a spreadsheet of your findings, for you will surely forget which dac on which track was the best.
Ultimately choose a manufacturer who is well regarded, also for his after sales service and possible updates/upgrades for digital is still getting better all the time. This is for protecting your investment and possible resale value.
As you also may have gathered measurements are only a (small) part of the equation. A well measuring dac may sound awful, and a mediocre measuring dac may sound beautiful. The ultimate dacs may sound more alike than different. The rest of your system (pre- and power amplifier, speakers, cabling, etc.) should also be up to snuff to hear the sometimes subtle differences.

Possible contestants I would in any case check: T+A, Naim, DCS, Lampizator, emmlabs, Totaldac.
Please let us now the results of your quest!

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

In Audiophilestyle's (Computer Audiophile) Munich High End 2023 wrap up, the best of show was Apl Hifi DSD-GR Dac.
Article here. A thread here. Short clip here. Available in these stores here and here.

 

[DonaldM]

In Audiophilestyle's (Computer Audiophile) Munich High End 2023 wrap up, the best of show was Apl Hifi DSD-GR Dac.
Article here. A thread here. Short clip here. Available in these stores here and here.

Here a review of the more affordable apl: https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/digital-reviews/spdif-dac-reviews/apl-dsd-ar-dac/

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

They are very good quality DAC brand that needs more attention.

 

[DarginMahkum]

There's a point where technological improvement cannot be percieved with our senses, as we are not bats or cats. Although there can be DACs that reinvent the wheel and claim to have even rounder wheels, they have no practical value with that so called advanced DAC technology when it is all limited by our hearing.

So I would rather suggest that you setup a good source computer system, install professional level VSTs to tweak the sound (good quality PEQ, stage tweakers and other kinds of DSP) and for the hardware just get the cleanest sounding amp and DAC.

You will have a much more options for finding a sound you will enjoy for different kinds of music and different recordings than any ultra high level DAC can ever give you.

 

[DarginMahkum]

check it here https://www.thraxaudio.com/maximinus


and you can find it in ali



what did you say, a $38000 DAC!? I think someone wants money very greedily

...why it costs $38K is another mystery, but those oscillators seem to have so good performance that any kind of "improvement" doesn't even make sense.

 

[DonaldM]

I fully agree with you that some dacs are priced extremely. There is the law of diminishing returns. I guess the sweet spot is maybe at €/$ 5-7k. That being said attention to the last details will always be very costly and also only a few will be sold to the happy few. So the costs of those ultra dacs will be very costly. I wonder if most people also have a complete system which can reveal those last details. For example I heard a top dac and an average dac in an average system and in a top system. With the top dac in the average system there was hardly a difference and in the top system the top dac sounded beautiful and far better than the average dac in the top system. The average dac in the top system sounded ehh… average.

 

[OnlySoMany]

I fully agree with you that some dacs are priced extremely. There is the law of diminishing returns. I guess the sweet spot is maybe at €/$ 5-7k. That being said attention to the last details will always be very costly and also only a few will be sold to the happy few. So the costs of those ultra dacs will be very costly. I wonder if most people also have a complete system which can reveal those last details. For example I heard a top dac and an average dac in an average system and in a top system. With the top dac in the average system there was hardly a difference and in the top system the top dac sounded beautiful and far better than the average dac in the top system. The average dac in the top system sounded ehh… average.

Totally agree. Yes, pretty much everything around it will be able to support it. I have Chord Music cables, Cardas clear, top end audioquest, etc.

Really interested to see how far the sound can be taken. For some tracks my friends have described it as better than live lol. But I want more depth. I can tell there are things that are not being represented to their fullest potential. Source is good, amp is pretty good, dac is first part I am looking to upgrade.