Czechzlin Posted February 9, 2021 Posted February 9, 2021 Hi All. Just putting it out there for some ideas. I'm looking to purchase a DAC but no idea which way to go as I cannot audition anything where I live. My system is as follows... - Cyrus CDXT Signature Transport - Unison Research S6 Valve Amp - Sonus Faber Auditor M Speakers - QED Supremus Speaker Cable Thanks in advance.
kukynas Posted February 9, 2021 Posted February 9, 2021 Ahoj, Yep, we need to know your budget, countless of options in every price category 1
Czechzlin Posted February 10, 2021 Author Posted February 10, 2021 Hello Again. I have not really considered a budget but I would say 2k to 4k range? Was considering the Chord Qutest as a starting point? Thank you
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted February 10, 2021 Volunteer Posted February 10, 2021 What DAC are you currently using?
Czechzlin Posted February 10, 2021 Author Posted February 10, 2021 Hi. I did have a Borderpatrol DAC, they sell direct. It was good but looking at something to go with my system that I have listed.
kukynas Posted February 10, 2021 Posted February 10, 2021 I will throw my list, all are transparent enough so should sound the same/similar and the main difference would be appearance and extra functionalities if you care about them Octo Research DAC 8 stereo RME Adi 2 fs Matrix audio element M or I NAD C658 - worthy of mention in case you might be interested in another area of potential improvements with its Dirac Live capability Chord Qutest would be on par with above listed if you prefer chords appearance
Mrpseudonym Posted February 11, 2021 Posted February 11, 2021 At that price you could pick up a second hand Hugo2. That would be my vote, and then when you go on holidays you could take it and a pair of headphones and keep your music with you
Czechzlin Posted February 12, 2021 Author Posted February 12, 2021 On 10/02/2021 at 11:16 PM, kukynas said: I will throw my list, all are transparent enough so should sound the same/similar and the main difference would be appearance and extra functionalities if you care about them Octo Research DAC 8 stereo RME Adi 2 fs Matrix audio element M or I NAD C658 - worthy of mention in case you might be interested in another area of potential improvements with its Dirac Live capability Chord Qutest would be on par with above listed if you prefer chords appearance I did not know anything about OKTO, interesting. Thanks David
Kharma Audio Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 On 09/02/2021 at 7:30 PM, Czechzlin said: Hi All. Just putting it out there for some ideas. I'm looking to purchase a DAC but no idea which way to go as I cannot audition anything where I live. My system is as follows... - Cyrus CDXT Signature Transport - Unison Research S6 Valve Amp - Sonus Faber Auditor M Speakers - QED Supremus Speaker Cable Thanks in advance. I have A Cyrus Dac X + with a separate PSX-R power supply for sale if interested? I have both Cremona M and Auditor M speakers and Cyrus works fantastic with Sonus Faber.
Czechzlin Posted February 27, 2021 Author Posted February 27, 2021 Hi. I currently have the Chord Qutest but I think it's a little edgy in the vocals? What are you asking for your equipment? Thanks David
Kharma Audio Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 Yes, system synergy is important and as Sonus Faber have fantastic resolution, they, like a lot of speakers can be pushed into “bright / edgy” territory if not careful. That’s why I loved the Cyrus dac in my system, very smooth but still very dynamic and lively. Ill PM you pics
Guest Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 Am surprised no one has introduced Gieseler to you. There is a brand new Fein II. I have heard its predecessor and it beat the Qutest. If DSD is not important and no remote required, then get the used Kompakt
Czechzlin Posted February 27, 2021 Author Posted February 27, 2021 Hi I have seen Gieseler but don't know anything about them Thanks I'll have a look.
snurb Posted March 1, 2021 Posted March 1, 2021 On 27/02/2021 at 6:14 PM, Czechzlin said: Hi. I currently have the Chord Qutest but I think it's a little edgy in the vocals? What are you asking for your equipment? Thanks David Straight USB can sound glarey (or have a digital sheen) into most dacs I’ve found. Get an Uptone ISO USB Regen or a streamer that outputs via coax into your dac if you want to take the edge off. 1
Ittaku Posted March 2, 2021 Posted March 2, 2021 Probably something from the Gieseler collection in that price range. 2
MattyW Posted March 4, 2021 Posted March 4, 2021 (edited) You can get an Abbas Esoteric Audio DAC in that price range. There's a small but growing number of SNA'ers who are running Abbas gear. Anyone has heard one tends to just hang onto it. None on the classifieds. Abbas gear eschews features for the one thing that never goes out of fashion: Sound quality. Edited March 4, 2021 by MattyW
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