Tell me what you think is the most analog-esque non-digital sounding 24/96-192 tube DAC available within $2500-$3500 price range (new or used) to replace my Reimyo DAP-777. Needs AES, BNC, COAX input. USB not required.
Unless you want tube dac to be able to roll tubes, the APL DAC-S is supposed to be pretty close to the APL NWO-4.0-SE tube based DAC/Player that I own, so I suppose similar signatures.
I decided to try the Lampizator v3 Level 3. I will also be auditioning the APL DAC-S in a couple weeks. Alex is very convincing. I am intrigued that the DAC-S offers much of what the NWO player does, similarly to how the Reimyo-DAP delivered most of what their CDP did.
With regards to Tron Seven DAC, I'm told to forget it with my $4K max budget. An updated version is about to be released and the price has gone up.
Sorry for the belated reply. I thought I should at least mention which DAC I preferred between the Lampizator Level 3/Gen 3 and APL DAC-S. I preferred the Lampizator, especially following the upgrade mods (NOS rectifier tube, Hi-Fi SilverStar fuse, Trompeter UBJ27 BNC jack, and AN Silver RCA jacks). The Lampizator just had more musical soul if you will, although the APL did provide a bit more upper registry extension/control.
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