DAC recomendation

[Brad24]

G'day

 

I have a Musical Fidelity M5Si amp that powers Monitor Audio Gold 100 speakers

Lately I have been playing music from my Ipad into the M5Si's DAC

 

I was thinking of buying MF M3S CD player but a mate suggested I might be better off with a better quality DAC

 

Can you suggest a DAC up to around the 2K mark that would fit the purpose

 

Cheers

[mjs]

RME ADI-2 DAC fs would fit the bill, a great DAC at that price point.

[avian]

In that price bracket I've heard both the RME ADI-2 and Denafrip Ares II in my system.  I'd personally lean toward the Ares, as I found its sonic signature far more enjoyable.   I'm sure @DacMan (on this forum) would look after you well if you decided to buy a denafrips locally.

 

Another interesting option in that price range would be would be the new Mytek Liberty II, which is currently on pre-order.  It comes with an over sized integrated linear power supply, and a few other tidbits over the original Liberty.

[Ittaku]

Gieseler at that price.

[GregWormald]

I listened extensively to the Ares II and found the digital signature that I so dislike absent. 

I decided to go a step up in the Denafrips line to the Pontus II as it seemed a better match for the rest of the system. It is over your limit though. I'm still awaiting delivery so I can't tell how much better than the Ares II it is. 

 

In truth I may not be able to tell at all as I'm in the process of updating DAC, amp, speakers, and cables all at once! Yikes, my poor pension fund.

[blakey72]

I'd be checking this out. A bit above budget but damn nice. 

https://cruxaudio.com.au/collections/holo-spring/products/spring-dac-level-1-red-label-r2r-dsd

[anandpkumar]

15 hours ago, Ittaku said:

Gieseler at that price.

+1 to that. Some very good reviews and experiences here on SN with Geiseler DACs. Clay (Geiseler Audio) has a 30 day return policy in case you don't like the sound

[Brad24]

Thanks for the recommendations

 

I’ve ripped my CD collection to ITunes on the FLAC setting I think it’s called

if I run the Gieseler Kompact DAC between my IPad & the MF M5Si amp will I hear better audio?

[Ittaku]

49 minutes ago, Brad24 said:

Thanks for the recommendations

 

I’ve ripped my CD collection to ITunes on the FLAC setting I think it’s called

if I run the Gieseler Kompact DAC between my IPad & the MF M5Si amp will I hear better audio?

Yes

[Tony@melb]

Slightly over your budget is the Chord Qutest. It's very good but I don't know how it compares with the Gieseler.

[Brad24]

Thanks for the recommendations, I pulled the trigger on a used Gieseler Kompact DAC

[Guest DrSK]

2 hours ago, Brad24 said:

Thanks for the recommendations, I pulled the trigger on a used Gieseler Kompact DAC

Good choice. Many of the reviews on here put some of Clay's stuff up there with $8k PS Audio offerings. 

 

I'm a happy owner of two of his DACs. 

Edited March 22, 2021 by DrSK

[Tony@melb]

16 hours ago, Brad24 said:

Thanks for the recommendations, I pulled the trigger on a used Gieseler Kompact DAC

It's a very good choice. Love to hear your feedback after you spend sometime with it.