I'm watching the $2000-3000 DAC space very closely. There are loads of great DACs in the $5-8K range, and there are a few very good ones at the $1500 level, but not a ton in between. The Ayre QB-9 is outdated and outmatched, and the Eximus DP-1 seems to be over-hyped by the usual suspects. Arcam's DP33 seems to be terrible.

One DAC that has me very curious is Burl's B2 Bomber. Pro use DACs are typically no frills (with no frills pricing). Weiss for example put a $2K "home use fee" on their Minerva. Slightly prettier buttons than the pro DAC2 - $2K.

No USB, but that's easy enough to add with an Anedio U2 or Audiophilleo.

The DACPort is truly good enough. The ODAC is good if you can make it work with a beefy USB port.

How much do you want to spend? I know a few members have the NAD M51, PS Audio PWD1/2, and Buffalo.

If you are into DIY, a few of us are secretly in the process of assembling some crazy Buffalo3 based builds which will work with DSD.

I should be getting in a loaner Gungnir...


P.S. I would also have to say no on the DP-1, unless you know exactly what you are getting into. It's possible that those on HF who are exalting it have never heard anything better.

Yeah. The PWD just kills the DL3, even the modded ones.

The DACPort is truly good enough. The ODAC is good if you can make it work with a beefy USB port.

How much do you want to spend? I know a few members have the NAD M51, PS Audio PWD1/2, and Buffalo.

If you are into DIY, a few of us are secretly in the process of assembling some crazy Buffalo3 based builds which will work with DSD.

I should be getting in a loaner Gungnir...


P.S. I would also have to say no on the DP-1, unless you know exactly what you are getting into. It's possible that those on HF who are exalting it have never heard anything better.

Ideally less than $2k, but in reality I could go higher - it just becomes an issue of "is this worth it?" more than "can I afford it?"  I think the former comes into play far before the latter.

I have a Bifrost right now, and I'm happy with it, but I listen to some music and, without any evidence to support it other than having been to live orchestras and jazz shows, that I am missing information.  It still sounds like a recording, not the instruments.  I'm using a Super 7 --> HE-5LE or --> Woo Wee + 404LE

I also have an ODAC that I use with my laptop on the go, but I much prefer the Bifrost overall, which leads me to believe that I can get more out of my system with a better DAC.

The other thing, which in the end I won't rely on 100%, is that I'd like to buy Canadian.  I don't know anyone that owns these models, so I can't listen to them, but I've been eyeing the

Resonessence Invicta
NAD M51
Bryston BDA-1
exaSound E20 <--- brand new model, but also the only company that has a schiit-like 30 day trial period, and their offices are a 10 minute drive from my condo.  I've heard nothing about this company before stumbling on their website while surfing one day.

As for the DIY route, I don't have the time or the knowledge (or the time to gain the knowledge) to go the DIY route.   Maybe in a couple of years, but work is just too busy.  It really does amaze me, though, the kinds of stuff some of you DIYers put together.  Pretty amazing stuff.