Help me spend $1500

[rocknroll1]

I saw a similar question in another forum aimed primarily at High End users — "Can someone recommend a good DAC? I don't want to go crazy on price, $15K is my limit."

BTW, may I ask which transport you chose? I'm in that process now...

I have not decided yet. I am getting more confused the more I look.

 

[PPstereo]

This is a WAY better option than that TEAC. Not even close.

Just wondering what about the teac is a let down to you?

Btw I don't ask to be argumentative or anything of the sort. I've read your thoughts on digital and felt you've given it allot of time and thought. So I ask with genuine interest.

I've come close to grabbing a prism lyra. Any thoughts on that unit?

Thanks much

 

[saggy]

You'll have to excuse my comment slightly, as I have heard the 501 but not the 503. I'm sure the 503 is an improvement. I felt the 501 left the music flat and unexciting. I felt it was more neutral than what I heard out of both the Sonos and Bluesound internal DACs, but just wasn't very "forward," if I can use that term.

The Mytek provides an exceptional depth of soundstage and has all those other bells and whistles, including full MQA and a useful phono pre.

After reading more about the 503 I am intrigued and would like to have a listen. I wouldn't expect it to beat the Mytek, but it's also half the price. It looks like a real nice unit. That being said, if it has the same sound sig that the 501 has, it's not my bag - but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be yours.

UD-501: http://www.teac.com/product/ud-501/
UD-503: http://www.teac.com/product/ud-503/

 

[rocknroll1]

You'll have to excuse my comment slightly, as I have heard the 501 but not the 503. I'm sure the 503 is an improvement. I felt the 501 left the music flat and unexciting. I felt it was more neutral than what I heard out of both the Sonos and Bluesound internal DACs, but just wasn't very "forward," if I can use that term.

The Mytek provides an exceptional depth of soundstage and has all those other bells and whistles, including full MQA and a useful phono pre.

After reading more about the 503 I am intrigued and would like to have a listen. I wouldn't expect it to beat the Mytek, but it's also half the price. It looks like a real nice unit. That being said, if it has the same sound sig that the 501 has, it's not my bag - but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be yours.

UD-501: http://www.teac.com/product/ud-501/
UD-503: http://www.teac.com/product/ud-503/

What about the new Teac 505?

 

[saggy]

What about the new Teac 505?

There's a 505 now??? haha. I'm falling behind! I will have to find one and have a demo. Looks nice, though!

 

[rocknroll1]

There's a 505 now??? haha. I'm falling behind! I will have to find one and have a demo. Looks nice, though!

I think its new this year

 

[vintage 5.0]

Well it sure is fun to decide on what you want to get. I like the PS audio NU wave. It will only cost you less than half of your amount and it is by far the best one I have used. It is also really well built and looks good.

 

[WhiteSE]

If you want an analog sounding unit...with a great DAC chip..Well, I guess its not a stand alone DAC, but it doesnt have a digital IN...But the DAC section is awesome.

I saw online this:
SONIC FRONTIERS SFCD-1 SE CD Player - UA D20400A 20-BIT Ladder DAC chip and tubes and updated Mundorf caps...$1350.00.

 

[WhiteSE]

or any of the AudioLogic units online..

 

[olderroust]

I'm surprised the Ayre Codex wasn't a suggestion to the OP.

Has anyone been able to listen to one side by side with the McIntosh? I was very impressed by the Ayre when I heard it, and the price is pretty close to the 1500 budget.

 

[E-Stat]

Slightly over budget, but a first quality hand assembled in USA unit with an excellent balanced discrete JFET analog stage (no op amps) - which is what I find makes the most audible difference. Dual power supplies.

Audio Research DAC7

 

[invalidbuffa]

thanks guys for the input. I ended up with the D150 from Agon. He came very close to my budget. I came very close to pulling the trigger on the Mytek Brooklyn, everything I read about it was good and it had MQA. The other options like phono stage would not have been used. Now help me find a streamer. I don't know much about them but it seems like roon ready is the way to go.

I'm curious and would like to hear your impressions on the D150.

 

[edwyun]

If you want an analog sounding unit...with a great DAC chip..Well, I guess its not a stand alone DAC, but it doesnt have a digital IN...But the DAC section is awesome.

I saw online this:
SONIC FRONTIERS SFCD-1 SE CD Player - UA D20400A 20-BIT Ladder DAC chip and tubes and updated Mundorf caps...$1350.00.

The ultra analog based DACs have a good following for R2R DACs. Most musical Ive heard whether in the sonic frontiers or mark levinson. For a current R2R DAC, you may also want to look at the Denafrips line of DACs.