[Avinash]

Hello,

I'm looking to get a used DAC, budget is up to 6k+/-. So far I have considered/read about:
- T+A DAC200
- Halo Audio May KTE
- Lampizator Golden Atlantic 3 TRP
- Aqua La Scala Mk2

Has any one on here tried these? Will love to hear your feedback or any other DACs I should be considering in my research?

Here's my System
- Vinnie Rossi L2 Preamplifier
- Rouge Audio Apollo Dark Amplifier for Midrange and Treble
- Krell FPB-700CX Amplifier for Bass
- Von Schweikert VR-7se MK2

My music source are locally stored digital lossless files and some DSD files.
Thanks

[WGH]

Any of the DACs listed would be a good choice. I have noticed that any sonic differences in top tier DACs to be subtle. Your source may determine what DAC you pick as much as the sound differences.

I use the Holo Audio May KTE. My decision was based on a number of factors:

• The lowest price of any Class A+ DAC in Stereophile's Recommended Components many years in a row
• Separate PCM and DSD R2R ladder DACs
• The internal DACs does not manipulate the signal with secret upsampling
• The May DAC supports DSD1024 native and PCM 1.536MHz
• The two extensive and detailed GoldenSound reviews
• The May works perfectly with HQPlayer

I wanted to experiment with hi-res music. Quite a few recording companies release digital music in both PCM and DSD. I have minimally processed, one-mic recordings from Sound Liason in 768kHz and DSD256. 2L - The Nordic Sound had DSD256 downloads. Hi-res downloads are not a rarity these days.

I also upsample all my ripped redbook and 44.1 kHz downloads to DSD256 using HQPlayer. The T+A has four selectable oversampling algorithms, HQPlayer has 128 resampling and oversampling filters to fine tune the sound to your system. The selection is not as daunting as it sounds, it usually boils down to just a few. The only downside is HQPlayer requires a moderately high powered music server, I built my own silent, fanless server. Notice the Aqua La Scala Mk2 only supports DSD128.

I prefer the sound of DSD256 to PCM.


If your source is only CD, then add the ANK (Audio Note Kit) 5.1 Signature to your list. Available pre-built on their website. The 5.1 Signature is NOS with a ladder DAC like the other DACs on the list but it only goes up to PCM 24 bit - 96 kHz and doesn't do DSD. The sound is very analog and excellent, three members in our audiophile club use ANK DACs (two use the 5.1 Signature)


Holo May KTE vs. Lampizator Atlantic 3 TRP vs. Mola Mola Tambaqui
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/holo-may-kte-vs-lampizator-atlantic-3-trp-vs-mola-mola-tambaqui

GoldenSound T+A DAC 200 review
https://youtu.be/LYxNda_aaKI

GoldenSound HoloAudio May KTE review Part 1
https://youtu.be/Wa3sOSRa-U0

GoldenSound HoloAudio May KTE review Part 2
https://youtu.be/mHcfgQtlnP8

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Go with the Aqua La Scala.  It is the best DAC that I have heard.  A friend of mine had the Holo May and it could not hold a candle to the La Scala.  He sold the Holo and bought the La Scala.  You will have to go the used route as it cost over $8K.  It is very analog and organic sounding.  It is even better with the Aqua LinQ

I will definitely be buying a used one in 2-3 years as the prices come down.  I currently use a Luxman DA-06 DAC or the fabulous DAC in my Mark Levinson 5805 Integrated.

[JackD]

I just picked up a La Scala Mk 3 this morning which should be here within the week.  I've owned an Aqua La Voce S3 for some time and really appreciate the Aqua sound.  I have also owned a May KTE for about four years now.  Both companies make excellent products. I have a friend with a La Scala Mk 2.  He is coming to visit in the next month or two and is going to bring it to compare to the Mk 3 which has some completely new internals.  He previously owned the Spring 3 KTE and prefers the La Scala.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I just picked up a La Scala Mk 3 this morning which should be here within the week.  I've owned an Aqua La Voce S3 for some time and really appreciate the Aqua sound.  I have also owned a May KTE for about four years now.  Both companies make excellent products. I have a friend with a La Scala Mk 2.  He is coming to visit in the next month or two and is going to bring it to compare to the Mk 3 which has some completely new internals.  He previously owned the Spring 3 KTE and prefers the La Scala.

Jack, I am so jealous.  I love the La Scala.  I have 2 friends that own them along with the LinQ and they are superb.
The Holo dacs can't hold a candle to the La Scala.  I am not saying that the Holo dacs sound bad.  Just the opposite but the Aqua Dac is just plain better.

How do you like the Aqua S3?  I have considered buying one but the DAC in my Levinson integrated is just so darn good.

[JackD]

Larry

I bought the La Voce as an S2 about 2016 when it was still based on the Burr Brown chipset.  When the S3 version was announced that converted it to an FPGA based DAC I sent mine back to Italy to have the conversion done.  It's been in place in one system or the other ever since. In fact I'm listening to it now.They turn up used every so often and are well worth owning.  I don't do DSD so their limits in that area don't bother me at all.  There is just something about their presentation that appeals to me that trumps the technically more proficient Holo.  Like I said, my friend has the La Scala Mk 2 but I only heard it once briefly before we moved to SC and he had made other changes in his system that I wasn't used to. From what I've read from owners of both the Mk 2 and Mk 3 as well as limited reviews the new model is a big step up in performance. Unfortunately those changes along with the tariffs have caused a pretty significant jump in price from the Mk 2. I'll break the unit in with the factory supplied Gold Lion tubes before trying the NOS Mullard, Phillips and Sylvania's I have stashed away.  As you've stuck with the Luxman this long I'm not surprised that the Aqua sound appeals to you over other brands.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Thanks Jack.  Definitely roll tubes.  My 2 local friends did for a nice improvement in sound.

I hear that the La Voce dacs have a very natural analog sound?

Let me know if you plan in selling the S3.

[mresseguie]

Larry

I bought the La Voce as an S2 about 2016 when it was still based on the Burr Brown chipset.  When the S3 version was announced that converted it to an FPGA based DAC I sent mine back to Italy to have the conversion done.  It's been in place in one system or the other ever since. In fact I'm listening to it now.They turn up used every so often and are well worth owning.  I don't do DSD so their limits in that area don't bother me at all.  There is just something about their presentation that appeals to me that trumps the technically more proficient Holo.  Like I said, my friend has the La Scala Mk 2 but I only heard it once briefly before we moved to SC and he had made other changes in his system that I wasn't used to. From what I've read from owners of both the Mk 2 and Mk 3 as well as limited reviews the new model is a big step up in performance. Unfortunately those changes along with the tariffs have caused a pretty significant jump in price from the Mk 2. I'll break the unit in with the factory supplied Gold Lion tubes before trying the NOS Mullard, Phillips and Sylvania's I have stashed away.  As you've stuck with the Luxman this long I'm not surprised that the Aqua sound appeals to you over other brands.

Hello, Jack!

Interesting reading this thread. Can you share with us how much the upgrade from MkII to MkIII is (or was at the time you upgraded)?

Michael

[JackD]

Michael

The upgrade from S2 to S3 I was referring to was for the La Voce.  My La Scala Mk III is a new factory unit.  From what I understand though the La Scala upgrade is about $3000 and involves it going back to Italy also. 

[mresseguie]

Oh! My mistake Thanks for the clarification.

I’ll keep the La Scala on my radar. I wish there were a dealer near me in order to listen to one. I do note there’s a Taiwan dealer I can contact in a few months.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Oh! My mistake Thanks for the clarification.

I’ll keep the La Scala on my radar. I wish there were a dealer near me in order to listen to one. I do note there’s a Taiwan dealer I can contact in a few months.

Michael, if you come back in town I can arrange for you to hear one of my friends.

[JackD]

Michael if you reach out to Scott Wylde at Arcadia Marketing maybe he will point you to a dealer close to where you're going to be.

arcadiaaudio@gmail.com

[mresseguie]

Michael if you reach out to Scott Wylde at Arcadia Marketing maybe he will point you to a dealer close to where you're going to be.

arcadiaaudio@gmail.com

  Done!