2. digital
  3. 1210340384

Performance of $1000 DAC's

I have been researching DAC's lately and as with most things in audio it leaves one with frustration.

Recent comments I have read have me questioning if DAC's in the $1000 range are thin soundinging.

Has anyone compared $1000 DAC's to much more expensive DAC's and/or CDP's? I'd be curious of your results.

DAC's I have been reading about have mostly been, the Benchmark, Bel Canto DAC3 and the PS Audio Dig Link DAC III, with and without mods.

Any input on your DAC experiences would be most appreciated, BUT I would really prefer that posts include what you compared the DAC to, even if it is the DAC within your CDP that you are bypassing. Also, listing associated equipment would be greatly appreciated.
brianmgrarcom
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
That is kind of a broad statement (all DAC around $1,000 are thin sounding).
My reaction to that would be to put those reviewers on permanent ignore.

There is a sure fire way to get a system you will be happy with.
Find what it is you like, and totally don't give a hoot what other people think.
brianmgrarcom OP
1,317 posts
 
Sorry Sugarbie, I don't follow your reply at all. As for not carrying what other people think, if we didn't want to solicit other peoples opinions there would be no reason for these forums.

My recent questioning/concern of $1000 DAC's sounding thin are based on comments within these forms, not print reviews.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I compared the Paradisea+ DAC to a couple of highly modified universal players (Modwright Sony 999ES and APL Denon 3910), and while the Paradisea+ did not equal their performance, it's sound was very musical and I could easily live with it.

I highly recommend the Paradisea+ DAC ($650 delivered).
countingbackwards
138 posts
 
I once had a Bel Canto Dac1...it was well under $1K used, and it was most definitely not thin-sounding - in fact it was a joy to listen to, and one of the best value pieces I've owned.

I would presume that at the $1K pricepoint, there will be compromises made...if you want high detail, you'll give up a bit of body...if you want a liquid midrange, you'll give up a bit of detail, etc. It's all about system matching - you just don't wanna go too far in one direction.

Going up in price will yield units that will work with a wider variety of equipment (and obviously sound better for the most part, as long as you buy a well-respected unit), but I am of the belief that anybody's system should be able to accomodate a $1K DAC quite nicely. It's just a matter of which $1K DAC.
More to discover