Higher End DACs
To Craig’s (crwilli’s) point - I think without hearing a DAC in your system over a period of time you will be hard pressed to make a decision based on Sonics. Shows are great for getting a feel for the gear, how it looks, how it might fit into your home. But as a way to audition high performance DACs? Let’s just say it will be very difficult to come to any conclusion that is based on Sonics. There are just too many variables outside your control to make a meaningful sonic judgement of a high performance DAC at a show.
You could bring your own closed back headphones, amp, and source material. That would work, maybe. You would also definitely be a pariah.
To Marc’s (2FastDriving’s) point there is a lot more to the decision than Sonics alone.
So this is a very high class problem and the good news is that all these products are excellent in their own right and ‘better’ is in the ears and eyes of the beholder.
Buying Esoteric or dCS based on reputation alone is a very low risk scenario!
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Main System:
Amati Futura Mains
Amati Homage VOX Center,
Proac Response 1sc Rears,
Three MC2301's for L,C,R
MC 602 for the rears
C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80
Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic
Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation
SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC
MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material.
Lake House:
Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3
OnDeck:
McIntosh MAC 4300v
Last edited by W9TR; 02-08-2020 at 09:01 PM.
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