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Thread: DAC upgrades

  1. #1
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Toulouse, France

    Posts: 6,704
    I'm Kevin.

    Default DAC upgrades

    It is bonus time again, and I thinking about buying a different DAC, moving from my RME ADI2 to a R-2R DAC.
    However, I don’t want to spend €3k on a DAC. I am looking to buy used, to get more VFM.

    On the 2nd hand market is a Metrum Hex, which looks interesting, but are there any issues when buying old DACs?
    Maybe looking to spend a maximum of 1.5k€, so is it worth making the move, or is it just going to be different, rather than better?
    Kevin

    Too busy enjoying the music....

    European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..

  2. #2
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 38,871
    I'm Martin.

    Default

    I'm currently using a DAC that's 35 years old, doesn't seem to have any problems.

    I think if you really want something noticeably different from your RME look for something that's a complete train-wreck measurement-wise. Trouble is most of those are more expensive than e1500!

    My own comparisons between R-2R and DS didn't yield anything to write home about either way.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  3. #3
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Essex

    Posts: 33,287
    I'm openingabottleofwine.

    Default

    Stay with the RME AD12. If you can work your way through the multiple options offered, you probably already have one of the finest DACs available.
    Barry

  4. #4
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Birmingham

    Posts: 7,001
    I'm James.

    Default

    What are you running into the DAC Kevin, CDP, streaming or both?
    Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702

    Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2

  5. #5
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Toulouse, France

    Posts: 6,704
    I'm Kevin.

    Default

    Both.
    Kevin

    Too busy enjoying the music....

    European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..

  6. #6
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Toulouse, France

    Posts: 6,704
    I'm Kevin.

    Default

    Any thoughts on a Vincent DAC-7?
    Kevin

    Too busy enjoying the music....

    European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..

  7. #7
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Birmingham

    Posts: 7,001
    I'm James.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by CageyH View Post
    Any thoughts on a Vincent DAC-7?
    Don't bother with all that expensive nonsense just get yourself an SMSL SU-1, you might be surprised. I know some folk who have compared it against some mega bucks stuff and preferred the Su-1.

    I had a chap here last week and he was gobsmacked!
    Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702

    Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2

  8. #8
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Toulouse, France

    Posts: 6,704
    I'm Kevin.

    Default

    I don’t think a different AKM DAC will give me what I am looking for.
    I am trying to get my digital to sound more analogue, so a tube based DAC could be the answer?
    Kevin

    Too busy enjoying the music....

    European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..

  9. #9
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Birmingham

    Posts: 7,001
    I'm James.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by CageyH View Post
    I don’t think a different AKM DAC will give me what I am looking for.
    I am trying to get my digital to sound more analogue, so a tube based DAC could be the answer?
    Yeah I have heard that some of the tube DACs get you closer. I think a Lampizator might be where you need to look, there is an Amber 1 on eBay UK that might be in your price range?

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305225691...7-666238326334


    This would be where I would go if I were looking for a Tube DAC.
    Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702

    Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2

  10. #10
    Join Date: May 2012

    Location: Toulouse, France

    Posts: 6,704
    I'm Kevin.

    Default

    No balanced outputs



    The Vincent sounds pretty good in this, but obviously, it is YouTube, with it’s awesome sound quality…
    Kevin

    Too busy enjoying the music....

    European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..

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