Can someone recommend a DAC for my system?

[opus111]

I haven't actually heard one myself, though I've read plenty of reports (on Head-Fi for example) from people who have Kingwa's DACs. I do recommend the PCM1704 because its a multibit device. A person would need to appreciate multibit sound - not everyone does. Actually the list price of a PCM1704 is now $50 so eight comes to $400 - not the best bang for the buck I must say

 

[Jmorello]

Thank you all for your advice. However I am left overwhelm with the amount of recommendations...

 

[Jmorello]

We have a demo Berkeley DAC (Series 1) that are selling discounted. If interested, please PM me.

How much and how fast can you ship to Canada, Quebec, Montreal.

 

[edorr]

If you are amenable to buying used the prefect wave mkII is a good alternative. There are quit fare for sale used for 2000. If it disappoints are you want to try something else you can always resell with a small loss. Read this months review in tas. Don't usually care much for reviews but it can't be that bad if a reviewer raves about it.

 

[daytona600]

Best bargain Dac I,ve ever heard is a Dared EF-99 I use one on my desktop to feed my tannoy AMS8 active monitors
in the UK bit more expensive than as a squeezebox 2 box valve ( sorry tube ) with external Psu Usb dac , great headphone amp , pre amp , ipod & blutooth
with 1wpc amp can even drive my 100db horns , tiny unit and its sooooo cute as well also use the matching FM/Dab tuner & 50wpc hybrid integrated for a cracking little micro system

 

[NorthStar]

How much and how fast can you ship to Canada, Quebec, Montreal.

-----Jonathan, tu parles Francais? :b

P.S. PM Amir. ...It is faster that way to get a reply, and he also can tell you more about, plus your options in case you are not fully satisfied. :b

 

[edorr]

Also check this thread out. Many votes for the metrum octave.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1346257957&&&/What-is-the-best-sounding-DAC-at-$2000-$

 

[LL21]

I have heard good things about Lampizator...but have never heard myself.

 

[NorthStar]

Also check this thread out. Many votes for the metrum octave.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1346257957&&&/What-is-the-best-sounding-DAC-at-$2000-$4000

----- http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1346257957&read

-----Fixed! :b

 

[Jmorello]

-----Jonathan, tu parles Francais? :b

P.S. PM Amir. ...It is faster that way to get a reply, and he also can tell you more about, plus your options in case you are not fully satisfied. :b

Yes I speak french. You are a fellow Canadian too!

Jonathan

 

[dallasjustice]

Jonathan,
Tell us a little about your music collection. Do you have any DSD? Do you care to listen to DSD? If not, I would recommend a quality DAC that implements a multi-bit DAC chip as previously mentioned. If you do listen to DSD or own a bunch of SACDs, you should prolly consider the Mytek or the Playback Designs.

 

[Jmorello]

Jonathan,
Tell us a little about your music collection. Do you have any DSD? Do you care to listen to DSD? If not, I would recommend a quality DAC that implements a multi-bit DAC chip as previously mentioned. If you do listen to DSD or own a bunch of SACDs, you should prolly consider the Mytek or the Playback Designs.

Sorry... What is DSD and SACD? Basically I don't understand much of all you are telling me... I am just a regular guy that wanted nice sound. This is all informative and learning so much. I listen to a lot of rap, RnB, love rocknroll - rolling stones, some nice jazz. I also like gipsy kings sometimes.

So does that answer your question?

Jonathan

 

[FrantzM]

Sorry... What is DSD and SACD? Basically I don't understand much of all you are telling me... I am just a regular guy that wanted nice sound. This is all informative and learning so much. I listen to a lot of rap, RnB, love rocknroll - rolling stones, some nice jazz. I also like gipsy kings sometimes.

So does that answer your question?

Jonathan

So you don't need DSD. We are also all regular guys, whatever that means and we also like nice sound

@ Dallsjustice, assist from me

 

[dallasjustice]

There are two digital formats. DSD and PCM. DSD is single bit and PCM is multi-bit, either 16bit, 24bit or 32bit. Most folks listen to music ripped from CDs which are 16bit PCM. DSD format can be downloaded but is primarily found on discs called SACDs. Some folks (not me) think DSD is always a "superior" format. I guess you would have to listen for yourself to decide which format you like best and with which gear. There is no absolute best format, IME.

Based on my experience, DACs generally have their sweet spot. That is, some DACs do DSD really awesome but PCM just good. Other DACs do PCM really awesome but can't do DSD at all or do DSD less well.

 

[Jmorello]

Jonathan,
Tell us a little about your music collection. Do you have any DSD? Do you care to listen to DSD? If not, I would recommend a quality DAC that implements a multi-bit DAC chip as previously mentioned. If you do listen to DSD or own a bunch of SACDs, you should prolly consider the Mytek or the Playback Designs.

So you don't need DSD. We are also all regular guys, whatever that means and we also like nice sound

@ Dallsjustice, assist from me

No, you are not regular guys... You are all extremely highly knowledgeable guys that put entry guys like me to shame. Lol I have a lot to learn.

So why do you advise I don't need a DAC?

 

[Jmorello]

Jonathan,
Tell us a little about your music collection. Do you have any DSD? Do you care to listen to DSD? If not, I would recommend a quality DAC that implements a multi-bit DAC chip as previously mentioned. If you do listen to DSD or own a bunch of SACDs, you should prolly consider the Mytek or the Playback Designs.

There are two digital formats. DSD and PCM. DSD is single bit and PCM is multi-bit, either 16bit, 24bit or 32bit. Most folks listen to music ripped from CDs which are 16bit PCM. DSD format can be downloaded but is primarily found on discs called SACDs. Some folks (not me) think DSD is always a "superior" format. I guess you would have to listen for yourself to decide which format you like best and with which gear. There is no absolute best format, IME.

Based on my experience, DACs generally have their sweet spot. That is, some DACs do DSD really awesome but PCM just good. Other DACs do PCM really awesome but can't do DSD at all or do DSD less well.

Ok, now I am starting to understand. I haven't played a CD in a while. Even in my car I have very few CD. I plug in my ipod or iphone, ect. All my music is downloaded. So I guess is need something good for PCM. Is that correct?

 

[dallasjustice]

Yes. You are a PCM guy.

If you are going to spend several thousand dollars on a good DAC, it's best to listen to files originally derived from a totally lossless format. eg. FLAC, WAV, AIFF. On the other hand, the AAC and other compressed formats can still sound pretty great, but you will notice that you are leaving a little bit on the table listening to compressed formats.

 

[opus111]

Sorry... What is DSD and SACD? Basically I don't understand much of all you are telling me... I am just a regular guy that wanted nice sound. This is all informative and learning so much. I listen to a lot of rap, RnB, love rocknroll - rolling stones, some nice jazz. I also like gipsy kings sometimes.

That music is rhythmic music, so I suggest you don't go for an S-D based DAC or one that natively handles DSD (normally the same thing). You'd be better served with multibit. But you also don't use CD so you need a multibit DAC with a well-implemented USB input. Depending on your budget you might try AMR. Although Audio-gd is great value I can't recommend it when you need its USB input. However it might well be fine if used with an external USB-SPDIF converter but that's another box to clutter up your living space.

 

[opus111]

I have heard good things about Lampizator...but have never heard myself.

I haven't heard one either but I hear that for the latest generation (4th I think) Lukas has seen the light and now uses multibit.

 

[dallasjustice]

I can't really recommend the NOS1 but it has a lot of things I like about the design. XXhighend software is pretty advanced and a PITA to use. But if you are up to the challenge, the NOS1 could be an excellent multi-bit DAC, although it's not what would call an NOS DAC.

http://www.phasure.com/index.php?topic=1744.0