WTB DAC

deuter · « **on:** 9 Mar 2020, 06:29 am »

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

mresseguie · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Mar 2020, 08:18 am »

It might be helpful if you tell folks your budget ($100? $500? $5000? $10k?).

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Mar 2020, 03:33 pm »

Also it would be helpful to know what country or continent you are on, shipping overseas gets expensive.

deuter · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Mar 2020, 11:45 pm »

Quote from: mresseguie on 9 Mar 2020, 08:18 am

It might be helpful if you tell folks your budget ($100? $500? $5000? $10k?).

Budget: Less then 5K

deuter · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Mar 2020, 11:46 pm »

Quote from: Wind Chaser on 9 Mar 2020, 03:33 pm

Also it would be helpful to know what country or continent you are on, shipping overseas gets expensive.

I'am based in Melbourne, Australia

walkern · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Mar 2020, 02:42 pm »

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).

jtsnead · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Mar 2020, 03:44 pm »

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/

morganc · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Mar 2020, 04:13 pm »

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.

deuter · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 Mar 2020, 07:08 pm »

Quote from: morganc on 10 Mar 2020, 04:13 pm

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.

Sense63 · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 Mar 2020, 10:27 pm »

If you could find a used Aqua La Scala, that should fit the bill.

deuter · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Mar 2020, 06:52 am »

Quote from: Sense63 on 10 Mar 2020, 10:27 pm

If you could find a used Aqua La Scala, that should fit the bill.

Agree, hence the WTB thread.

Ryan0348 · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 Mar 2020, 05:54 pm »

Ps audio direct stream dac. I have one and its the most analog sounding digital device ive herd.

mhconley · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 Mar 2020, 07:37 pm »

Matrix Audio X-SABRE Pro

Martin

deuter · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 Mar 2020, 04:50 am »

Iam looking to buy used, not necessarily recommendations.
So if you have one for sale then please pm me.

deuter · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Mar 2020, 06:17 am »

Found.

Shakeydeal · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 Mar 2020, 06:39 pm »

If you are still looking, check out my Metrum Acoustics Pavane here for sale. It sounds exactly as you describe.

Shakey

GlennDog · « **Reply #16 on:** 22 Mar 2020, 03:02 am »

Whaja find? Details plz

audioholic1976 · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 Mar 2020, 04:23 am »

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.

LordCloud · « **Reply #18 on:** 27 Mar 2020, 04:57 am »

If you're still looking, I have a modified MHDT Labs Balanced Pagoda that I'm selling.

beeah · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 Mar 2020, 04:11 pm »

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?