Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500

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audiogurujax

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Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« on: 2 Mar 2017, 09:21 pm »
I am looking for my next DAC, I have a Budget of $2500 it can be new or used so far I have take in consideration

Gustard X20 Pro
Auralic Vega
Holo Audio
Aqua la voce
Lampizator Used (basic model)


I am open to suggestions, I mostly hear Jazz and classic rock, Most files in my collection are 96 or 192 analog rips.

Thanks

rpf

Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #1 on: 2 Mar 2017, 09:25 pm »
A new Lampizator Amber II comes in under your budget. (I reviewed it here on AC). According to Fred & Berto, better than a older Level 4.


rajacat

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Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #2 on: 2 Mar 2017, 09:38 pm »
 MP-D2 AK4490 XMOS BALANCED DAC DSD DOP 384Khz
TUBE DAC $1000

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=148213.msg1591331#msg1591331

zoom25

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Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #3 on: 2 Mar 2017, 09:48 pm »
- Crane Song Solaris
- Dangerous Music Convert-2

JLM

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Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #4 on: 2 Mar 2017, 09:59 pm »
Schiit Yggdrasil?

zoom25

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Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #5 on: 2 Mar 2017, 10:02 pm »
Schiit Yggdrasil?

2 people brought in Yggy to compare with the Convert-2 and ended up returning the Yggy. The Convert-2 sounded more musical to them, which makes sense as many engineers are in love for using the Convert-2 as a pitching DAC.

Armaegis

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Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #6 on: 2 Mar 2017, 10:16 pm »
The Schiit Yggdrasil is one of the best dacs I've heard and comes in under budget at $2300.

My personal dac right now is a Prism Lyra/Callia which I would put on nearly equal footing with the Yggy. The Prisms exists in the same pro audio bracket as the Dangerous and Polaris, though I have not heard either of those myself.

JLM

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Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #7 on: 2 Mar 2017, 11:27 pm »
Chord 2Qute (basically is a Hugo without headphone output).  Chord DAC's use unique programable FPGA converter chips.  Does a particularly good job with Redbook.

Oppo Sonica (ESS ES9038PRO chip, very flexible (formats/controls/connections), fully balanced design

roscoeiii

Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #8 on: 2 Mar 2017, 11:31 pm »
Chord 2Qute (basically is a Hugo without headphone output).  Chord DAC's use unique programable FPGA converter chips.  Does a particularly good job with Redbook.

Oppo Sonica (ESS ES9038PRO chip, very flexible (formats/controls/connections), fully balanced design

Or wait a lil bit for the Hugo 2 from Chord. Seems like some trickle down from their flagship Dave...

bacobits1

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Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #9 on: 2 Mar 2017, 11:42 pm »
The best advice as always is listen yourself.
Lot of confusing reviews out there.
You will have a different opinion for as many people commenting here.
I have the Yggdrasil and would not part with it.

Oh, don't forget Exogal too.

Freo-1

Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #10 on: 2 Mar 2017, 11:54 pm »
Easy.  Benchmark DAC-3. 


Sounds and measures outstanding.

zapper7

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Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #11 on: 3 Mar 2017, 01:08 am »
Rock solid company, A+ rated DAC, personally used it for classic rock too.........NAD M51.....I was listening to my old ACDC, Black Sabbath, Eagles and the like discs with new appreciation

Bemopti123

Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #12 on: 3 Mar 2017, 02:17 am »
No one even mentioned Metrum? 

shauk786

Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #13 on: 3 Mar 2017, 02:48 am »
Or the Nuprime DAC-10H at $1795.00 - One of the best DAC I have ever heard. Comes with a great headphone Amp as well.

demodisc9

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Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #14 on: 3 Mar 2017, 04:00 am »
Yggy.

jarcher

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Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #15 on: 3 Mar 2017, 05:35 am »
Upcoming Chord Hugo 2 or an Ayre Codex (but get it before the price increase 1 April). 

Auralic Vega at new lower price is a great value, but I'd still hold out for the upcoming Hugo 2.

I.Greyhound Fan

Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #16 on: 3 Mar 2017, 04:39 pm »
What type of sound do you like?  Slightly warm, neutral or very detailed and clean which can sometimes lean a little to the sunny side.

If you don't need DSD, consider the Aqua.  I have a friend that had a Yiggy and PSA DSD.  He sold them and got the Aqua La Voce and loves it.

audiogurujax

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Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #17 on: 3 Mar 2017, 05:45 pm »
thanks a lot for all the replies so far this is my list of contenders


Gustard X20 Pro - New
Exogal - New
PS Audio DirectStream DAC - Used
Schiit Yggdrasil - New
Aqua La Voce - New
Dangerous Music Convert-2

Vote for one LOL

mr_bill

Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #18 on: 3 Mar 2017, 06:01 pm »
Good list.

I wonder about the new Oppo Sonica Dac although I've seen reviews from...............better than Direcstream..........to not a giant killer and no way.

audiogurujax

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Re: Best DAc to buy new or used under $2500
« Reply #19 on: 3 Mar 2017, 06:12 pm »
what Oppo Sonica better than PS audio Direct Stream Dac?