DAC Shootout - Tons of Fun

[Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Shunyata QR-s is the way to go if in your budget. DACs were one of the sources it was specifically designed for.

Yikes! My wallet just slapped me in the face when I checked those out.

[JoeN]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

Yikes! My wallet just slapped me in the face when I checked those out.

They are pretty expensive, but worth their weight in gold. Your ears will thank you for them.

[Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by JoeN

They are pretty expensive, but worth their weight in gold. Your ears will thank you for them.

My ears and wallet need to go to counseling

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

Yikes! My wallet just slapped me in the face when I checked those out.

Not if you know the right guy.

[Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Not if you know the right guy.

Once I land on a DAC I’m all for tapping the “Lu Vault-o-cables”

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

Once I land on a DAC I’m all for tapping the “Lu Vault-o-cables”

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by JoeN

They are pretty expensive, but worth their weight in gold. Your ears will thank you for them.

Yup...

[capici]

@Grasshopper
Thanks for this shootout. Your reviews are easy to understand and your writing is in a professional level.

From this thread, I looked at the few of the DACs that I’m was not aware of especially the Baltic3 and the EMM.

I just turned 62. 6 years ago I started in-depth research for my bucket list first high-end neutral linear analog+digital system. After discovering the high quality sound I should pursue, I then tried to recreate it but on my limited budget - maximum performance at the minimum cost without sacrificing sound quality. I’m especially interested in sonic bargains to stretch my $. Therefore I try to purchase used if possible. I’m currently 80% over the budget I initially quoted to my wife- I sleep with one eye open

Currently, my audio chains are almost complete as I only have speakers (Magico A5) and interconnects to purchase. I’m also planning my end game components when funds allow.

I have the Denafrips Terminator with the DSP card upgrade. I choose this as my starting DAC because it was neutral and had many consistent positive reviews.

From other online reviews the Holo May KTE sits just above the Terminator sonically.

When @PumaCat wrote “The Lampi is another tube roller's paradise and trust me when I say it punches WAY above it's "weight" class”, which I interpreted as a “bargain” which is consistent with my subsequent online research.

Further online reviews of the updated EMM Labs DA2 V2 indicates that this DAC is comparable to the very top DACs including the ~$100k MSB Select. Another “bargain” flag.

So now my DAC upgrade path is:
$6.6k Lampizator Baltic3
$15k APL DSD-SR v2
$30k EMM DA2 v2

APL DACs were designed to sound analog, and the very few reviews/reports were very positive supports their success which smells like another “bargain”. I may reach out to Stereophile and/or TAS to request an APL review

The $150k Wadax Atlantis Reference DAC may be the best DAC today. A review reveals it sits above the MSB Select DAC 2. I’ll need a “winning” lottery ticket for this one

[Ankkor]

Part of me would like to get a Lampi and a Moa Moa Tambaqui to a/b them somewhat permanently with my dCS but I’ve got to control myself.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by capici

From other online reviews the Holo May KTE sits just above the Terminator sonically.

When @PumaCat wrote “The Lampi is another tube roller's paradise and trust me when I say it punches WAY above it's "weight" class”, which I interpreted as a “bargain” which is consistent with my subsequent online research.

Further online reviews of the updated EMM Labs DA2 V2 indicates that this DAC is comparable to the very top DACs including the ~$100k MSB Select. Another “bargain” flag.

So now my DAC upgrade path is:
$6.6k Lampizator Baltic3
$15k APL DSD-SR v2
$30k EMM DA2 v2

APL DACs were designed to sound analog, and the very few reviews/reports were very positive supports their success which smells like another “bargain”. I may reach out to Stereophile and/or TAS to request an APL review

Just a note that I also have had a Holo May KTE DAC here on-loan from a friend for about 6 months or so.

So, I have my choice of Holo May and the Lampi B3 to listen to.

Which one do I listen to? The Baltic 3.