I'd like to encourage you to give the Exogal Comet a try. I don't want to miss mine anymore.
detailed vs. warm DAC - which do I prefer?
My first post on GON... I recently purchased a PS Audio DirectStream DAC and when I do an A/B comparison with my old NAD C542 cd player (Burr-Brown Sigma Delta DAC), I prefer the cd player every time. The DSD just sounds too laid-back and muted for my taste with a less-defined soundstage. In all fairness to PS Audio, I've only had the DSD for a couple of weeks so it's nowhere near to being broken in. My question to the group is what, if anything, does this say about my preference in DACs? I live in the sticks, so I don't have the luxury of listening to demos at a dealer or in my own system. If I do seek out a replacement for the DSD, should I consider a more "detailed" or "warm" DAC? I honestly don't know what I prefer. My budget is $7K and I'm considering the mytek manhattan II, bryston, luxman, and exogal. Surely there's a DAC in this price range that will sound better than spinning discs in my old cd player. Or maybe I've grown so accustomed to the digital redbook sound that I haven't learned to appreciate the more analog sounding DSD and it might grow on me after break-in.
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You can have both. No reason that can't especially at that price point. I just sold an Ayre QX5/20 DAC/streamer/digital front controller (even new it's in your range depending on which input you want. There are some incredible DAC's in the 5k range that would be a great choice. Have you seen the very long thread on AG talking about top DAC's? Matt (the OP) is a very close friend and he was looking for the top DAC period, but he's also had some of the under 10k DAC's in that thread. It's a very very long thread, but you can simply ask Matt which ones he likes in your range. You will have a ton of 'experts' trying to sell you on THEIR DAC's, but Matt has actually had most of them in for a decent audition. He's also not a sales person (he's a Dr.). Feel free to PM me if you want to get in touch with him or have me ask for you. He'll have a few options for you I'm sure. Be ready though as he's not a fan of the PS Audio DAC's, lol. |
’Detailed’ and ’Warm’ can co-exist - along with dynamic. There are many factors involved to achieve it. It isn’t as simple as just swapping out a DAC. To spend your budget wisely, more homework needs to be done. Have you been to an audio show recently? Have you been to a live music venue recently - amplified vs un-amplified? Is there an audio club in your area? |
I have both the Manhatten (I) and the Bryston DAC3. I’ve never heard the PS Audio, but based on what you’ve written, I have a feeling that the Manhatten will suit you fine. My Manhatten is fantastically detailed and analytical but still sounds musical. I purchased the Bryston primarily for it’s ability to play SACDs and it’s a bit softer and less detailed than the Manhatten, although still an excellent DAC |
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