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Help me choose a DAC < $800 (Bryston BDA-1 or Rega DAC R) or?

RobertCO said:
I read the stereophile review on this Benchmark DAC2 and it looks like a great suggestion. Question tho, if I were to move my budget up to that range, it would be very close to what I could get a used Mcintosh D100 for. I would have to think this DAC should blow the Mcintosh out of the water to be priced relatively closely on the used market?
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While the D100 would be the best aesthetic match, it uses late 70s NE5532 op amps. According to this review, the Benchmark uses 17(!) newer LME49860 op amps. It does seem they are chasing numbers rather than fidelity.

If you're willing to stretch the budget, I would suggest you consider the Schiit Gungnir. While I haven't auditioned one, it uses discrete JFETs for the analog stage like my Audio Research unit. Look at the review section. Many folks were impressed and it offers a 15 day return policy.
 
You might check out the MHDT DACs. They are non oversampling R2R DACs that use a tube buffer. They definitely fall on the analog sounding side of the discussion. I bought an Orchid. I am still breaking it in but I think it is a keeper. Good luck.
 
RobertCO said:
Fair enough, I get that. I got the impression from the video below that the filters could be set to match the style of music being played (or at least add/remove dryness/warmth as needed).

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Filters tend to have a subtle effect. To get an idea you can download HQ Player and try different filters with your current DACs.
 
botrytis said:
I would NOT recommend any tube DAC's but that is me. I find them all noisy and the point of digital is to be accurate as possible, isn't it? Adding tubes as even harmonics (which humans prefer) but at the expense of more noise.
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Well I obviously would disagree. In my experience it is a plus to have a vacuum tube some where in the chain, and a DAC makes perfect sense to me. The guys at MHDT have created and implemented a very thoughtful design. They are clearly not trying to offer a harsh, analytical, clinical or hard presentation. That is exactly what I wanted and got. I purposely stayed away from DACs with filters. I didn’t want to synthesize the sound. I wanted it clean and organic...to my ears that is what I got. The Orchid uses a TDA1541 chip, which is a highly revered classic R2R chip. Send MHDT an email and the chief designer answers you. To the OP, have fun during the search.
 
NOS filterless R2R DACs, let alone ones with tubes, color the sound so in the end you end up with a different sound flavor than the mastering engineer heard. That is fine if that's your preference, but hopefully one understands it before buying a DAC like that. Filters do not synthesize the sound, they help block ultrasonic frequencies from reaching your amp and speakers.
 
E-Stat said:
While the D100 would be the best aesthetic match, it uses late 70s NE5532 op amps. According to this review, the Benchmark uses 17(!) newer LME49860 op amps. It does seem they are chasing numbers rather than fidelity.
.
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It may seem that way to some but what Benchmark has actually chased and caught is pure fidelity. This is an unbelievably good DAC in every way. One of those "like listening to a recording for the first time" products. It allows my 805D2s to show what they are truly capable of. This DAC is definitely not fatiguing to my ears. I feel like it does everything right.

In full disclosure, I don't like warm, tubey, thick or euphonic sound signatures. Some do.
 
Vintagear said:
It may seem that way to some but what Benchmark has actually chased and caught is pure fidelity.
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Via more than a dozen high feedback op amps in the circuit path? LOL!

Truly linear performance can be achieved without sterile, forward sounding results using class A zero feedback discrete designs.

YMMV.
 
E-Stat said:
Via more than a dozen high feedback op amps in the circuit path? LOL!

Truly linear performance can be achieved without sterile, forward sounding results using class A zero feedback discrete designs.

YMMV.
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That's OK, you can buy what you like and I will buy what I like. To my ears, this is a stunning DAC and my search has ended. I have no further desire to audition any others.

The OP asked for suggestions and I gave one, that's all...
 
E-Stat said:
Just considerably outside his stated budget even if purchased used.

And that budget is not limited to those using switch mode power supplies and op amps.
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Yeah whatever. The OP didn't seem to have a problem with my suggestion, I'm not sure why you do.
 
If you feel like hearing a Soekris R2R with programmable FPGA, let me know. I’m right down the road. I have 4 filters installed including an NOS
 
All these DAC terms are making my head spin, OP amps, R2R, tube or no tube, etc etc.

Let me back up a bit here and explain how I ended up even considering a new DAC.

Again, source is 99% 44.1/16 FLAC files streamed from my NAS, no plans to ever use DSD or MQA whatever those formats are.

3 months ago my setup looked like this:

NAS/LMS -> pCP -> hifiberry DAC+ pro -> Sansui AU-9500 (unrestored but adjusted) -> ADS L1290s (restored mids/tweeters by Richard So)

That setup sounded really great *with the loudness switch on* and listening to my go to ref music (Steely Dan/Pink Floyd/Stevie Wonder/Ohio Players)

The problem with that setup is when I played modern stuff I like (Daft Punk, Rage, Tool, Foo Fighters, Alabama Shakes) it became congested, too forward and well... distorted (I do occasionally play it loud, maybe 11 o'clock, sometimes noon on the dial). I understand maybe some of the above possibly could be chalked up to the loudness wars, but not Tool or RATM, they are know for good masterings of their recordings)

Recently I was able to pick up a Mcintosh MA-6450 integrated. With the rest of the chain same as above it sounded better, no, much better. But, still missing something.

The thought occurred to me that I had a $40 DAC going into pretty expensive amp and that the DAC might be the problem.

So, I changed my hifiberry DAC out for a hifiberry DIGI+ (using the coax out) to a new Topping D30. It did sound better, I A/B'ed them and the D30 had a slightly wider soundstage and less rolled off highs. Still not perfect with all the different music I like but getting closer. The Topping D30 had to go though, serious problems with it, power connector was flaky and loud pops/scratching when changing sampling rates. The D30 is on it's way back to amazon.

I now have an Emotiva XDA-2 on indefinite loan and A/B'ed that against the Topping D30 Again, slightly wider soundstage on the Emotiva as well as a more accurate but slightly laid-back sound. While using it though, I still reach for the variable loudness on the MA6450 and crank it a little to get a little more punch.

Got some really great advice from @E-Stat on the transport side of things. Did some tweaks on the PI and I've ordered the Allo digione and a battery power pack to ensure I'm doing the best I can with the transport.

After starting this thread and all the reading and videos as well as personal experience, it's become very apparent I can't cheap out on a DAC. Also, while the question of "filters" can be a subjective one, I like the idea of having them available if want to use them. Kinda like someday I'm going to start listening to Miles Davis, not today but someday. ;)

Don't want to get this thread moved so I wont mention exact prices but here's my list right now:

Under 2k:

Chord Qutest

Under (barley) 1.5k:

Benchmark DAC2

Under 1.3k:

Schiit Gungnir Multibit

Under 0.8k (used):

Rega DAC-R
Bryston BDA-1

Of all the above, the only ones I could audition are the Schiit and the Rega. The Rega is local and I can bring the XDA-2 to compare. The Schiit would be a 15-day trial, but with my amp and speakers.

The things John H. Darko said about the Chord Qutest really makes me wish I could still deduct my home mortgage interest. :D

Then there is also the thing that @Decibel_116 said: "The only one that sounds better than the XDA-2 is the Chord Qutest" once I read that, I can't seem to get it out of my head.

Anyway, I really appreciate all the helpful suggestions and insights.
 
botrytis said:
I would NOT recommend any tube DAC's but that is me. I find them all noisy and the point of digital is to be accurate as possible, isn't it? Adding tubes as even harmonics (which humans prefer) but at the expense of more noise.
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You haven’t heard the Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 21 Dac then , about as analog and clean sounding I’ve heard . I think the higher you go up the chain with dacs you really do hear a significant difference and much cleaner sound , that’s just my opinion of course.

Audiofreak71
 
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If it was me, I would definitely give the Rega a test drive. It was on my short list before I went with the MHDT. Some folks get spun up on just about any topic. Let your ears decide, and take advantage of the ability to listen to the Rega. One nice thing about Rega is that it is very recognizable and easily sold if you decide to move on later.
 
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One thing about the Rega is its questionable USB input, but if the plan is to use Coax then it probably doesn't matter.
 
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