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DAC-Preamp having these specifications?

Rather than asking for feedback about specific products, I thought I instead would ask for your recommendations of a DAC-Preamp product(s) having a desired set of following specifications:

Output Impedance: < 300 Ohms
Balanced outputs (XLR)
Unbalanced outputs (RCA)
2 or more analog inputs (RCA or XLR)
2 or more digital inputs (coaxial + optical or USB)
DAC section preferably uses discrete components over op-amps
DAC signal processing capabilities should the usual fare though need not include every conceivable format
Price: ~$2,500 or less




celander
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,333 posts
 
@celander
https://www.stereophile.com/content/benchmark-dac3-hgc-da-preamplifier-headphone-amplifier-measurements

Check our the measurements of the Benchmark DAC 3.



If there is any internal jitter it has not shown up in any of the measurements - so likely very small.

The J-Test is perfect. Discrete components aren’t necessarily better - usually you can achieve a lower noise floor but at -160 dbfs the noise floor is pretty low on the DAC 3...





celander's avatar
celander OP
1,036 posts
 
@shadorne yes, I reviewed JA’s measurements of the DAC3 this morning to see whether he measured the jitter. I know it’s low. 
celander's avatar
celander OP
1,036 posts
 
DAC technology is a moving target. The ESS Pro chip set in the Benchmark product is already obsolete, though I’m sure it’s great as implemented.

http://www.esstech.com/index.php/en/products/sabre-digital-analog-converters/audiophile-dacs/sabre-p...

Though it’s not a stated product specification, it would be desirable to have some commitment to upgradable pathways for the product.
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,333 posts
 
The ESS 9038 is multi-channel for HT. Higher performance when you average 4 channels per side to get stereo. I think there are some products that use it for stereo. The implementation is just as important as the chip.
1graber2's avatar
1graber2
280 posts
 
now we are digging a little deeper into the OPs choices: DACs

IMO, I dont like the Sabre DACs, I think they sound too sweet and syrupy, like a sonic signal being over processed a 1000 times. Doesn't even sound real to me. I prefer AKM and Burr-Brown chips myself.

Again, Celander, Bel Canto DAC 3.7, and you can thank me later.
At least give it a demo ....
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