SoftwireEngineer wrote: > Yes, currently, a DAC cannot be used in my setup. Just SBT-> coax -> > Panasonic -> bi-amp-> speakers. But I am considering new speakers and > thinking about DACs like the NAD M51. Wondering what the folks here > think is a reasonably priced DAC (surely not the ones jh suggests :-) )
Benchmark , audiolab MDAC , ? * it was a very long time since I bought a standalone DAC , get better advice than mine in this case . * filter out " weird " designs that counter normal engineering standards ,that for example contains tubes or by-bee quantum purifiers or similar ,run for the horizon . Be vigilant of other clueless bs like "sounds almost as good as vinyl" or "seductive midrange" or other hype . If they rely heavilly on custommer testimonials and no data be sceptical . If they also sell expensive cables be even more sceptical as they can't possible have understood the engineering degree they should have to be able to design the DAC in the first place . * for some reason it's seems like there is new DAC brand every week made in china ? Using known brands with solid reputation is a good idea . Warranty. Quality and service are just as important . Example the power supply in my 8 year old processor blew in 2012 meridian replaced it for something like 2-3% of the cost of new similar processor and (I think they also exchanged other stuff too without telling me ). * high end custommer are whimsical depending for example on the latest nonsense from TAS brands migth temporarily by out of favour etc so in that market they need to keep surprisingly high margins to stay in bussiness , unless you can build a relatively large loyal custommer base . This also means great deals on used stuff as some are chasing the latest and greatest and their own tail . * try to do a level matched ( important ) blind shot out compared to the Touchs analog out , if you are on a budget . Listening environment speakers and volume and music selection weigh in here , you migth find the improvement subtle at best and the money could do more for you elsewhere in the system . Consider active speakers ( analog or digital ) getting rid of the passive cross over and power the drivers directly is a very real improvement , nb some of the simpler active speakers are just passive speakers with built in amps and sort of misses the piont with coupling the power amp,directly to the drivers . ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mnyb's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=4143 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=96407 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
