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DAC recommendation with tube preamp

Looking for some recommendations for a DAC to pair with my BAT VK333SE and Revel Salon 2s.  The  BAT is on the cold side of neutral and the Salon 2s are very neutral with great bass and dynamics.  I'm looking for accuracy/clarity with a bit of sparkle without sacrificing any bass.  Something to offset the darkness of the BAT and maximize the dynamics of the Salons.

I'm currently using the DAC in my Bluesound Node 2.  I recently auditioned a Mytek Brooklyn DAC + and didn't find it that much better than the DAC in my Node 2.  I little more decay with the voice and a slightly wider sound stage, but not $2200 better.  This was the first Sabre chip DAC I've heard in my system and was expecting it to work great as I've always heard the Sabre chips are bright.  But I didn't find enough to justify the cost.  So I'm on the prowl again.

I'm really trying to keep the cost around $2500 but am willing to go up to $5000 max for the right fit.  I've read the Mytek Manhattan II is much better than the Brooklyn due to the dual power supply.  But will the sonic signature be that much different?  Some other options I'm looking at:
Benchmark DAC 3 HGC
Chord Qutest
Schitt Yggy 
PS DirectStream JR
Simaudio 280D

All opinions on these and any other options welcome.  MQA and DSD are not that important to me.  They're more like a bonus.  I do get MQA now via Tidal Masters from Bluesound but I have no DSD files and don't plan on investing in any.

Given the above, is there anything better than the Yggy for pure PCM at $2500?  Even at $5000 or under?  

Two other intriguing options are the Simaudio 390 Network Player and the NAD C 658.  Both are streaming/network players that offer a DAC.  Not sure if anyone has any reviews on either?  The C 658 includes Dirac Live, which I currently have in my Emotiva XMC-1 processor and like what it does for my room.  But I'm not sure if the DAC in these will be anything special or if these are more of an all in one solution with the DAC as an after-thought.  

Thanks all.

snafujg
canibefrank
104 posts
 
check out the NAD C658 at AVS Forum:

https://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-receivers-amps-processors/3038854-official-nad-c658-thread.html

lots of dissapointment with the C 658 so far unless you have it paired correctly downstream
many of us mere mortals interested in this type of box are turning towards the TEAC NT-505.. and looking elsewhere for room correction...Room EQ anyone?
snafujg OP
19 posts
 
Thanks @canibefrank.  I found that thread and have pretty much dismissed the C658 as an option.  There's a dealer in NJ that gave it good reviews, but, as you said, it had to be paired perfectly.  I'm looking for a piece that isn't that picky.  I've also pretty much decided I'll be going with a separate DAC and Streamer instead of an all-in-one solution.  The Yggy fits my DAC needs.  Not sure if there's any other DAC out there in the $2500 range that can beat it.  I fully recognize it doesn't support MQA or DSD, but I don't have any DSD files and don't plan to invest in any.  And MQA is not that important to me.  
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
2,164 posts
 
Lampizator or Aesthetix...get the best model you can afford.....

i have both a Pandora Sig and a Lampi Amber II

invest in good spdif...two i can strongly recommend are AQ Eagleye and Nordost Silver Shadow

have fun...

also dont rule out an MSB analog.....sweet machine..
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