Astronutter Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 I’m looking for a bit of advice. I am considering replacing my Matrix x Sabre Dac. Don’t get me wrong I don’t dislike it but I am looking for a (small) stepup in audio quality. key considerations are ability to throw a large deep sound stage (where it exists), tonal accuracy, ability to extract the last ounce of detail and conveying the natural ebb and flow of the music. Balanced outputs is mandatory, digital inputs should comprise the usual suspects spdif, fibre and USB. i am aspirationally rich and financially challenged, so price is another consideration. Please no recommendations for $5k DACs. i appreciate your honest feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BATMAQN Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 Audio GD Ref series Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rand129678 Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Astronutter said: Please no recommendations for $5k DACs. Hi, can you give a budget limit? Helps to narrow things down for better advice. Cheers Edited March 21, 2019 by Music2496 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ittaku Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 Gieseler? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 https://www.gieseler.com.au/product-page/m19d-fein-dac-ii Released earlier this year, the 3 input version is $2,300 which is as good as if not better than the Gross DAC which has a big following in SNA 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astronutter Posted March 21, 2019 Author Share Posted March 21, 2019 Budget is $1500 - $1900 and I don’t mind buying used. I tried the Audio DG and it didn’t work in my system. DACs owned so far arcam irDac audio dg ref7 (I think) schitt gungnir (multi bit) matrix x sabre The matrix is closer to my preferred representation, bit it’s sound stage is not quite up to the mark. I’ve been thinking of either a used: benchmark dac2 gustard x20u bell canto dac2 or at a stretch a Ayre dsd Dac (matches my amp) The dac im trying to find will hang off the back of my oppo 105 which I use mainly for streaming, movies etc. My Ayre CD player (run straight into the Ayre 7) is my reference for the sound I’m am trying to achieve. Alas nothing has come close yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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