[Ymer]

In the same price range or cheaper.

Maybe a better separate DAC for less money, and then I'd buy whichever amp I'd like.

Thanks

BTW, typo in the topic. Better OPTION of course.

 

[EnOYiN]

Aria and cantate are there of course and for as far as I know rudistor made a DAC/amp combo as well. I haven't heard it so I can't comment on how it sounds.

 

[lerio]

Consider Cantate.

 

[Henry Flower]

By 'better', do you mean in terms of sound quality? If so, the answer is 'probably not'. And definitely not the cheaper Meier amps, which have less good DACs.

 

[Ymer]

Yeah, by better I mean sound quality. And I'm especially concerned about the DAC.

Thanks

 

[lerio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ymer /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, by better I mean sound quality. And I'm especially concerned about the DAC. Thanks

Oh.. so forget Cantate

 

[ManAtWork]

Please don't just focus on DAC, while it is just a component in an amp. Without a good amplifier circuit design, even installed the best DAC but couldn't give you best sound. So we need to consider all as a whole. Sometimes a decent design can drive an average DAC having wonderful sound only be heard in higher grade products.

 

[Chewy]

Lerio - how is sound quality of the DAC on the Cantate amp?

 

[lerio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chewy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Lerio - how is sound quality of the DAC on the Cantate amp?

I'am not pro enough to say what is the part of DAC or the Amp (i'am more a Music lover then a tech) but i made a review of Cantate here maybe you can have a idea then

 

[Ymer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManAtWork /img/forum/go_quote.gif Please don't just focus on DAC, while it is just a component in an amp. Without a good amplifier circuit design, even installed the best DAC but couldn't give you best sound. So we need to consider all as a whole. Sometimes a decent design can drive an average DAC having wonderful sound only be heard in higher grade products.

But I don't really consider a DAC part of an amp and vice-versa. I want a good amp and a good DAC. That's the point of maybe going separate, if there's a better option.

Currently I own a Headfive, btw.

Thanks again!

 

[Duggeh]

Headroom Balanced Desktop?

 

[greggf]

PS Audio GCHA?

 

[itsborken]

Get the Opera with DAC disabled and get an external DAC of your choice if that is your concern. The Opera amp by itself is great!

 

[Henry Flower]

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsborken /img/forum/go_quote.gif Get the Opera with DAC disabled and get an external DAC of your choice if that is your concern. The Opera amp by itself is great!

Bearing in mind that the OP wanted 'in the same price range or cheaper', the DAC-less Opera only saves you 165 euros. I don't know how much you'd have to spend to better the Opera's DAC externally, but I bet it's more than that!

 

[Hi-Finthen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry Flower /img/forum/go_quote.gif Bearing in mind that the OP wanted 'in the same price range or cheaper', the DAC-less Opera only saves you 165 euros. I don't know how much you'd have to spend to better the Opera's DAC externally, but I bet it's more than that!

I can answer that question from my personal experience with the MHDT Labs Constatine+ @ about $400 + cables was a touch more bright,edgy and overall glassier vs the Operas DAC which I found to be preferable especially with average recordings even more so preferable. And that's a NOS DAC known for its smoothness on its top freqs. presentation. And it was very good as a step up from the SqueezeBox3, but between the two I prefered the Operas presentation with its beter control of my phones bass articulation also.

I'm very comfortable in my setup and need to look and listen no further than this very nice highly listenable centre to my home audio system. These minute differences in more detail with edgyness vs longer term listenability with less than better recordings, I believe is the strong point in favor of the Opera. Whereas, while the idea of greater resolution and detail may be a worthy pursuit strictly in audiophile terms, for me listenability with a wide range of material is actually my listening habits and doing so the Opera never fails to impress, delivering peak musical experiences with whatever I choose to play also with whichever phone I choose for variety of presentation.

Probably, a $650 investment would bring more to the presentation [I would have great hopes] but I wouldn't make that judgement without listening first and over an extended period, to hear what those changes may be, in terms of listenability, as I previously have done.

Hope this is useful somewhat in your decision, good luck~