More revealing DAC then the XDACv3 for under 1,400?

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool bubba ice I know MF is in the business of selling, but I still wish they would be more upfront.. Claiming the XDACv3 is their best DAC yet..& in their opinion is the best DAC you can buy without spending 4-6 grand..

Yes... they just don't know what they're talking about!

Why should they - they only manufacture and market much more expensive DAC's?!? Why on Earth would they suggest the XDAC v3 is as good as any they make?

And... why would all those ignorant Pro reviewers suggest the same thing!

And... why would Headfiers suggest it's at least as good as the Benchmark?

You just don't know who to trust anymore!

$450? I'll bet is ain't even worth $300... maybe less!

Bummer!

 

[spraggih]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool bubba ice I'm a bit miffed.. I notice a great improvment in my games & DVDs but only a slight improvment when playing CDS?? Is it my Sony 595?

Hey - can you list the other DACs you have heard? Maybe you need to go a super-DAC trek - find all the great (highly considered) <$1000 DACs with 30 day return policies and order them (all at the same time)- and listen to them within one period - and the winner you keep.

Actually given all of this DAC talk I am thinking about doing the same myself. Only thing some of the highly considered DACs are outside of the US and/or the return policy is not clearly listed (e.g., Stello DA100). I do not think I should consider the Benchmark as I already have the *bright CD3000s.

Anyone care to offer where I can pick up highly regarded DACs with a 30 day return policy in the US?

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 Yes... they just don't know what they're talking about! Why should they - they only manufacture and market much more expensive DAC's?!? Why on Earth would they suggest the XDAC v3 is as good as any they make? And... why would all those ignorant Pro reviewers suggest the same thing! And... why would Headfiers suggest it's at least as good as the Benchmark? You just don't know who to trust anymore! $450? I'll bet is ain't even worth $300... maybe less! Bummer!

Wake up on the wrong side of the bed I take it.. If you think the XDACv3 is as good as MF says it is, thats on you.. Many ppl here would recomend the Benchmark1, Lavry10, MK220, etc over the Xdac3. By the way I never said the XDAC3 was bad in anyway.. It's excellent, but when MF claims it's the best DAC out there regardless of price I will hold them accountable for it. I'm not a kool aid drinker..

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spraggih Hey - can you list the other DACs you have heard? Maybe you need to go a super-DAC trek - find all the great (highly considered) <$1000 DACs with 30 day return policies and order them (all at the same time)- and listen to them within one period - and the winner you keep. Actually given all of this DAC talk I am thinking about doing the same myself. Only thing some of the highly considered DACs are outside of the US and/or the return policy is not clearly listed (e.g., Stello DA100). I do not think I should consider the Benchmark as I already have the *bright CD3000s. Anyone care to offer where I can pick up highly regarded DACs with a 30 day return policy in the US?

I would love too..But I don't want the trouble of sending them back.. I'd love to hear the BMD1, Stello, MK 2200, Monarhy 24, A32, ETC.. We need to have a DAC meet in San Jose..

 

[SK138]

My Mac G5 (iTune@320kbps) --> Glass optical ---> Monarachy Upsamper @96kHz ---> custom Signal Digital coax cable ---> MF A3.24 DAC @192kHz ---> Maxed M^3 ---> W5000 --->

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude Your Mac optical or coax? Same to the A324?

 

[Solude]

That will definitely sound different than straight optical. Which you prefer is up to you in the end.

As for 30 day returns... AudioGon. Buy used, sell used and all you lose is shipping. Small price to pay to sample gear in house side by side with your current rig.

Oh and never ever sell your current gear before extended side by side comparisons if you can afford it. Comparing new gear to the memory of old gear while having listened to your standby gear between new and old is a sure fire way to be on the my new gear is the best ever train

 

[spraggih]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude That will definitely sound different than straight optical. Which you prefer is up to you in the end. As for 30 day returns... AudioGon. Buy used, sell used and all you lose is shipping. Small price to pay to sample gear in house side by side with your current rig. Oh and never ever sell your current gear before extended side by side comparisons if you can afford it. Comparing new gear to the memory of old gear while having listened to your standby gear between new and old is a sure fire way to be on the my new gear is the best ever train

In your opinion, what's a good used price for a Stello DA220? Do you recommend it?

 

[Solude]

There was a guy on AudioGon who sold his for $700! Don't expect that is the norm though. Probably in the range of $800-$900.

I like the Stello DA220 but honestly I'm still waiting for delivery on my KGSS so I'm listening to my Senn 650 straight from the Tri-Vista 21/DA220 right now. I haven't bothered to sit down and do a proper comparison and won't until I get my KGSS inhouse and burned in.

Iron_Dreamer could tell you though. He has the DA220 and compared it to the Benchmark in house I believe.

 

[spraggih]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude There was a guy on AudioGon who sold his for $700! Don't expect that is the norm though. Probably in the range of $800-$900. I like the Stello DA220 but honestly I'm still waiting for delivery on my KGSS so I'm listening to my Senn 650 straight from the Tri-Vista 21/DA220 right now. I haven't bothered to sit down and do a proper comparison and won't until I get my KGSS inhouse and burned in. Iron_Dreamer could tell you though. He has the DA220 and compared it to the Benchmark in house I believe.

OK - thanks! I saw Iron_Dreamer's posts - I will continue the search.

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 ...$450? I'll bet is ain't even worth $300... maybe less! Bummer!

I paid $482 for a brand new X-Dac V3 delivered. I am very happy with it and I have stopped looking (at least for a while). I may send it to have it modified in the future to PinkFloyd but for the time I am enjoying it.

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo I paid $482 for a brand new X-Dac V3 delivered. I am very happy with it and I have stopped looking (at least for a while). I may send it to have it modified in the future to PinkFloyd but for the time I am enjoying it.

You got a real steal!

I'm sure you realize my post was a bit of "sarcasm" - the XDAC v3 is an exceptional DAC, and a terrific value at $482, or $600, or more - since most Pro reviewers, as well as others, rate it as good as any of the MF DAC's (when coupled with the related components), and as good as any DAC for less than $2,000+.

I accept there opinions as perfectly legitimate, and have really been pleased with mine.

 

[spraggih]

I am using a M-Audio as a transit* (optical) to the X-DAC. Have you guys played with the bit and sampling rate via M-Audio?

It seems the sound is different - more well rounded, better bass?? with higher sampling rates (24 bit/96 Khz). This makes no sense at all as the X-DAC (as I understand it) then takes the sound and upsamples to 24/192 - which in my mind would defeat any purpose in foobar or m-audio upsampling to 24/96 and could possibly lead to a worse sound. But it seems to sound better (< 1 hr of listening though so my opinion may change).

*- I have a M-Audio Audiophile USB (coaxial) on order - bought it partly because it was originally a good deal and also because it had separate power supply

 

[Voodoochile]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kool bubba ice I know MF is in the business of selling, but I still wish they would be more upfront.. Claiming the XDACv3 is their best DAC yet..& in their opinion is the best DAC you can buy without spending 4-6 grand..

I'm sure that the XDAC is a really nice piece, but statements like that are not called for. That's just absurd, IMO.

If I had one for $500, I'd be pretty pleased. If I was told I could have any DAC I wanted, under a $4,000 price ceiling (not even the 6K mark), I know that I would pick something else.

 

[BrianS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spraggih Anyone care to offer where I can pick up highly regarded DACs with a 30 day return policy in the US?

www.mercenaryaudio.com

lavry black da10, keep it as long as you need to make a decision to keep it.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gradofan2 You got a real steal! I'm sure you realize my post was a bit of "sarcasm" - the XDAC v3 is an exceptional DAC, and a terrific value at $482, or $600, or more - since most Pro reviewers, as well as others, rate it as good as any of the MF DAC's (when coupled with the related components), and as good as any DAC for less than $2,000+. I accept there opinions as perfectly legitimate, and have really been pleased with mine.

I got mine used for 550.00 plus 80.00 Cardas cables.. For the price I'm pleased, but without the extras its less then exceptional, at least thats what reviews say.. I just ordered the Little Pinkie, so it will show what the XDAC is really made of, instead of the POS wallwart that was provided. Not picking on MF.. A lot of companies do this.. & I'm sure for retail price, the majority here wouldn't touch the XDAC3 & would rather go after the PSIII, Larvy10, or BenchmarkDAC1...