DAC upgrades

[CageyH]

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?

[Macca]

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.

[Barry]

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.

[Jimbo]

What are you running into the DAC Kevin, CDP, streaming or both?

[CageyH]

Both.

[CageyH]

Any thoughts on a Vincent DAC-7?

[Jimbo]

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!

[CageyH]

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?

[Jimbo]

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.

[CageyH]

No balanced outputs



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