used Tadac is good. I found one here for $550. a few months ago. I mainly use my Adcom 700 DAC via (tubed) VAC preamp just 'cuz it's the main plan. The Tadac sounds good, has it's own volume control, and a headphone output. a 'tubyness' knob taht I think is cool. The TDAC is less complicated and a better performer, but new and costs more. |
What's your budget? There are a couple of great post recently regarding DAC's I would search those for some ideas as well.
Good luck. |
My budget would be around $1,000 new or used. Could possibly stretch a bit more if it sounded like the right move. |
You have a very nice start with the Totem and Plinius. I have been using a PS Audio Digital Link III and am a big fan. It has a smooth and realistic presentation with good full range extension and tames the digital glare. The mods are even better they say. I also bought a Cambridge DAC Magic for a secondary system and it is really good, but not like the PS Audio. Used for $500, I think the DLIII is a great deal. If you can spend more, there are clearly better units, of course. The next step up may be the Wyred 4 Sound for $999, but I haven't heard it. Many out there as you approach $1K. We are all lucky to have so many great DACs at all price points. |
Dude, dude, dude!! With your budget and current excellent gear, I think the PS Audio (as suggested) or the Benchmark would be great matches. I have had both, and they are both great, I think the Benchmark is more detailed. |
I am unclear if the PS audio is a tube Dac. Would love to hear more suggestions, thanks |
The PS Audio is not a tubed unit. I would look for a used Kora Hermes which is tubed. They are excellent sounding. |
How about the Eastern Electric DAC. Uses same Sabre chips as used in the Wyred DAC, but instead of a discrete output stage, you have a switch that allows you to choose between tube and op-amp output stages. At $750 a great buy. |
Looks like alot of solid recommendations here and it appears all could be had new for under a $1000.00 I would also like to throw in the Eastern Electric dac which has been garnering some good reviews as well. If you can stretch your budget a little the Tranquility dac is supposed to sound great with a few people saying it sounds better than the Berkely. It is a NOS non tubed dac but is supposed to have a very organic and analog sound quality to it. One caveat is that it only has a USB connection |
My fault for not reading your post correctly. The PSA is not tubed, but it does sound like tubed DACs I have heard. |
Thanks for the great input, anyone know where those reviews of the Eastern Electric Dac may be found?, thanks |
For some user reviews and comments from the local distributor as well, go over to audiocircle.com and just do a query. There may be a professional review out there as well, (Six Moons?)but I'm not quite sure. If you live in the N.J NYC area I'd be more than happy to loan you my Tdac, I know how difficult it can be to demo different components |
Metman, thanks for your offer (I actually live 2 hrs. north of NYC). Interested to get your experience with your TDAC, thanks |
The offer holds if you're willing to pick it up and drop it off, I really don't want to get involved with shipping. I have only had the opportunity to hear one other dac - The Maverick, which happens to be a great value for approx $200.00 but I think it's appeal is more for it's versaitility than solely as a dac. the Tdac is in an altogether other league as far as dacs are concerned. I'm extermely satisfied with mine, the stock tubes sounded good but I replaced them with some Siemens silver plates and it made a big difference.
There is a fairly long thread at the AVS forum regarding the Tadac from a year or so ago which you may want to check out but from what I understand the TDAC is better. So many dacs so little time!
|