[IPodPJ]

Quote:

Audio-gd Reference 1, without a doubt.

You mean the Reference 7?  It replaced the Reference 1 some time ago.  And if you want the best version, it's the Reference 7 HE, which has a separate power supply/regenerator.

 

[Frihed89]

I am going to reply to a comment made, well before, by one of the members who said that Wavelength tube DACs didn't provide a big enough bang for the buck.
 
My personal view is that the biggest bang for the buck is in the first $250-$1,000 one spends and that, in most cases, the bang gets smaller as the price increases.
 
Neverthelss, I have made a number of steps up and the acquisition of a dedicated Mac and a Wavelength tube Dac (Crimson) would be a lateral step or even a step down price-wise as a substitute for the Audio Note (UK) digital equipment I am currently using and, since computer audio is far from a perfect substitute to a DAC+Transport (separates or in one box), there are a number of other characteristics trade-offs that need to be evaluated, not just the audio.
 
But the idea of "bang for the buck" does still resonate with me, because if you put me in a corner i would have to admit I am almost as happy with the sound I get from an older Arcam rig CD-192T) that I have in my summer place than my Audio Note CD4.1x.
 
I don't like the sound of all $8,000 Dacs, but the ones I like the most cost at least that much.
 

 

[Verita168]

Hi Sir,
 
I currently have a Classe DAC1, Timbre tt-1 and a Theta DS Pre Basic. Question, how is the sound of SFD2 Mk3 compared to them? Will it be an upgrade? I am also a fan of the old school DACS. Hope anyone can advise.
 
Regards

 

[mcandmar]

I couldn't name any DAC that cost ~5k and i'm totally fine with that

 

[Austin Morrow]

I wouldn't. I'd buy a HE-500, a Liquid Glass, a DAC HD, and be done with Head-Fi. 

 

[Eternal Phoenix]

Wow, a two and a half year old thread necro'd...
 
Oh well, lets have some fun.
 
I would buy a Resonessence Invicta and with the remaining $3/400 I would buy a cable... All done.

 

[arjuna93]

Chord Dave

 

[ThanatosVI]

I did buy a Rockna Wavelight, which I totally recommend to anyone aiming for an endgame DAC in this price Segment.

I also considered a Holo Audio May, however I received a very attractive offer for an Wavelight, which won me over

 

[Happy Camper]

Therapy. I joke, I have no experience with this level of DAC, but I will say there's a difference between getting sound off an IC chip and a well built analog design (power supply big +).

 

[chef8489]

I'd purchase a schiit lyr 3 with miltibit ans a a&k se200.

 

[PopZeus]

Denafrips Terminator. Though tbh, I'd probably prefer the Pontus II on the desktop. A man can dream about building an insane 2-channel system around the larger flagship.

 

[silversurfer616]

The one I have, of course.
AudioNote 4.1
Betters the ones I had before like Pavane, PSAudio Perfect Wave etc.

 

[Guidostrunk]

Wow. This might me the oldest thread I've seen resurrected lol. The irony of the thread is ,is that OP probably never imagined there'd be so many existing at that price range. Let alone one.

 

[pkcpga]

Debating wether to update my Chord Dave, got it about 6 years ago now and wondering if there’s anything better out there now?

 

[paradoxper]

Can't buy a better DAC without knowing with which headphones first.

But of course this is Head-Fi so logic need not apply.