A musical DAC ?

[lotus340r]

Hi guys, ive heard quite a few dacs and streamers but none have grabbed me so far but i would like to get one for the convenience of backgroudn streamed music and random music selection etc.

Can anyone recommend me a DAC which has a fatter more palpable sound, more full bodied and rich like a good CD player or turntable ? Most dacs and streamers I have heard have sounded very accurate, precise and they do all the hifi stuff really well but the overall effect has been a bit thin sounding, wallpapery, not big enough on texture and tone, and just not really engaging to listen to despite having impressive "sound quality".

I would imagine that I am looking for a tube dac of some sort especially as most of my system hs tubes ? Anyone have any recommends ?

[usbyte]

rega dac. very musical

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by lotus340r

Hi guys, ive heard quite a few dacs and streamers but none have grabbed me so far but i would like to get one for the convenience of backgroudn streamed music and random music selection etc.

Can anyone recommend me a DAC which has a fatter more palpable sound, more full bodied and rich like a good CD player or turntable ? Most dacs and streamers I have heard have sounded very accurate, precise and they do all the hifi stuff really well but the overall effect has been a bit thin sounding, wallpapery, not big enough on texture and tone, and just not really engaging to listen to despite having impressive "sound quality".

I would imagine that I am looking for a tube dac of some sort especially as most of my system hs tubes ? Anyone have any recommends ?

Budget?

[cmalak]

Rich...budget?

PS: Michael....I guess you just beat me to it

[lotus340r]

Budget, well that depends how good it is

Up to about £4000 (new or secondhand) I guess but would rather pay less.

[mbovaird]

Meitner MA1 without a doubt. I have its big brother, the Emm LABS DAC2X and it is very musical. People who have A/B both say the DAC2X is only a tad better. The Meitner MA1 is the sweet spot. Its DSD compatible too!! I believe the Power Supply is universal as well (but you will want to confirm). There are lots of reviews out there. Just google it.

Mike

[cmalak]

Did you see this DAC shootout (http://www.audioaficionado.org/digit...c25-3-a.html)?

Looks like the AMR DP-777 came out on top and it looks like you are based in Europe so my guess is the AMR pricing there is more reasonable and should fit your budget.

Check out Stereophile's review of the DP-777 by Art Dudley, a vinylphile. I believe it will jive with the sonic attributes you are seeking: Abbingdon Music Research DP-777 D/A processor | Stereophile.com

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by mbovaird

Meitner MA1 without a doubt. I have its big brother, the Emm LABS DAC2X and it is very musical. People who have A/B both say the DAC2X is only a tad better. The Meitner MA1 is the sweet spot. Its DSD compatible too!! I believe the Power Supply is universal as well (but you will want to confirm). There are lots of reviews out there. Just google it.

Mike

Michael, the MA-1 will be way over his 4K Euro budget, especially since pricing in Europe will be goosed up vs. N. AMerican pricing. Good suggestion though.

[mbovaird]

Cyril, I agree with you. The AMR DP-777 is another good one. It lacks DSD though...which may or may not be important to you. I would suggest you find a DAC with DSD (that's my two cents).

[mbovaird]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Michael, the MA-1 will be way over his 4K Euro budget, especially since pricing in Europe will be goosed up vs. N. AMerican pricing. Good suggestion though.

Really? I would have him check that for sure. Retail here is $7K USD....but they sell for much less. If his budget is 4000 pounds, surely he can get one in that range. No?