AudioCircle
The Marketplace => Trading Post => For Sale: Source Components => Topic started by: deuter on 9 Mar 2020, 06:29 am
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Prefer a balanced dac.
Would be interested in something that’s musical and not analytical.
Could be with tube output stage or an R-2R
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It might be helpful if you tell folks your budget ($100? $500? $5000? $10k?).
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Also it would be helpful to know what country or continent you are on, shipping overseas gets expensive.
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It might be helpful if you tell folks your budget ($100? $500? $5000? $10k?).
Budget: Less then 5K
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Also it would be helpful to know what country or continent you are on, shipping overseas gets expensive.
I'am based in Melbourne, Australia
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check out the balanced Pagoda from MHDT Labs. Wonderful r-2-r dac with tube output. I have an older non-balanced MHDT dac using a BB chip set that sounds very much like what you described... musical with nice detail but not ruthless or analytical. They will ship to Australia relatively quickly (although the balanced versions of their dacs are built when ordered, so it may take a few days to get that done).
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I have a ifi audio pro idsd dac that has a switchable tube output stage, I just got it but I feel I am not going to use it that much, google it it has a lot of great reviews, https://ifi-audio.com/products/pro-idsd/
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I'd recommend the Pagoda or either the Lampizator Amber or one their higher end models like the TRP model. The Audio Mirror Dac also sounds like a winner.
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I'd recommend the Pagoda or either the Lampizator Amber or one their higher end models like the TRP model. The Audio Mirror Dac also sounds like a winner.
I used to own the Lampizator level 7 so familiar with the sound.
Does the Pagoda sound better ( more detailed ) compared to the amber?
Also Audio Mirror is fairly new as I was hoping to buy a used one to keep expenses down.
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If you could find a used Aqua La Scala, that should fit the bill.
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If you could find a used Aqua La Scala, that should fit the bill.
Agree, hence the WTB thread.
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Ps audio direct stream dac. I have one and its the most analog sounding digital device ive herd.
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Matrix Audio X-SABRE Pro
Martin
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Iam looking to buy used, not necessarily recommendations.
So if you have one for sale then please pm me.
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Found.
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If you are still looking, check out my Metrum Acoustics Pavane here for sale. It sounds exactly as you describe.
Shakey
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Whaja find? Details plz 8)
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To throw in my 2 cents.
I’ve tried a ton of DACs ranging from $50-$10,000 and my absolute number 1 is the Berkeley Alpha DAC Version 2.
Sound very natural, detailed and very 3 dimensional soundstage.
I am selling mine for US$2,000.
It’s in mint condition.
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If you're still looking, I have a modified MHDT Labs Balanced Pagoda that I'm selling.
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If you're still looking, I have a Brooklyn Bridge you might be interested in.
Not the Mytek, the Brooklyn Bridge.
But seriously, what did you end up getting?
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I managed to get a new Musical Paradise MP-D2 MK3 DAC with tube and USB clock upgraded and Sabre 9038Pro chips.
Really enjoying the sound. So detailed and huge sounding with holographic soundstage without sounding digital yet maintaining the bite in instruments when it calls for.
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Is it this one?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000554895341.html?src=google
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Is it this one?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000554895341.html?src=google
That’s the one but there are more configuration options on Musical Paradise website.
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jt
I wouldn't buy it from there just to save a couple of dollars. Garry's shipping is free to the US and he stands behind it when he sells it. And like Deuter said there are other configuration options available on his website.
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Thanks for the follow up, Deuter. Interesting choice.
I recently moved from Bryston BDA-1 to BDA-2, the latter using the AKM 4399. It’s a pretty big improvement IMHO over the BDA-1’s Cirrus DAC chip. Enough so that I am expecting a Topping D90 to be delivered today, which uses the AKM 4499.
TL;DR: I woulda gone with the AK4497 option...
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Thanks for the follow up, Deuter. Interesting choice.
I recently moved from Bryston BDA-1 to BDA-2, the latter using the AKM 4399. It’s a pretty big improvement IMHO over the BDA-1’s Cirrus DAC chip. Enough so that I am expecting a Topping D90 to be delivered today, which uses the AKM 4499.
TL;DR: I woulda gone with the AK4497 option...
I agree with the comment that the Musical Paradise is an interesting choice. I've been drawn by the ability to swap DAC modules. I wrote Musical Paradise a couple of months ago and they said AK4499 modules would be available this summer. It would be very interesting to do a comparison between the top of the line ESS Technology (ESS9038Pro) and Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AK4499) DAC chips in the same unit.
I have a Topping DX7 Pro with the ESS9038Pro chip.
Martin
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I agree with the comment that the Musical Paradise is an interesting choice. I've been drawn by the ability to swap DAC modules. I wrote Musical Paradise a couple of months ago and they said AK4499 modules would be available this summer. It would be very interesting to do a comparison between the top of the line ESS Technology (ESS9038Pro) and Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AK4499) DAC chips in the same unit.
I have a Topping DX7 Pro with the ESS9038Pro chip.
Martin
There is more to this DAC then just the DAC chips, In fact the only reason I went with Sabre was because Garry recommended it based on my system sound signature and listening habits.
The tubed output stage and rectification along with the upgraded USB input and not to forget cap swap options really allows one to tailor the sound.
I come from having tried some of the most expensive dacs and this one I believe is definitely on par if not better.