CDP/DAC suggestions up to £2k

[Chivas]

Sorry, another one of those threads, but my dad is coming to visit end of September and said that he would like to leave with a CDP or DAC, he has a working transport and is using a stop gap DAC at the moment.

Frankly, I haven't heard many different digital sources and am not very clued up in this area, so i'm totally reliant on your advice to pull a shortlist together for him to demo.

Based on similar threads in the past:

- The Marantz range seems worth a listen

- Oppo appears to be good value for money

- I am curious about the Audio Note 2.1 DAC in the classifieds

-Rega?

- Shanling (but fugly in my opinion)

We both prefer analogue sounding to digital, and 2nd hand is great.

Any suggestions will be welcome and/or good places to go to for a demo. I'm in Epping.

We will also be going to the NAS at Whittlebury for what that may be worth

For info:

He uses a Croft 25R pre, with a 200wpc hybrid power amp (Valve audio, small South African company) and DIY speakers. I think the transport is a Theta

Much appreciated

Chivas

 

[Jazid]

He will not regret the AN DAC, that I can promise. Whether others are better for him I cannot say of course, but the AN stuff does do what it promises; Make music and make it well

 

[Chivas]

Cheers James, I cannot say that I have heard an AN DAC myself, but I know they are held in high regard by some/most members here, so definitely worth looking into. What is the price for a new DAC 2.1 sig btw?

 

[mmar]

if he's running a theta transport then a used Theta dac would not disappoint , pro gen 5 or pro basic 3 are both very good sounding dacs but do lack a little in the connection department compared to more update modern dacs

 

[hifinutt]

bel canto dacs are brilliant, practical , well made and sound good with loads of dealers

highly recommended

http://www.aanvilaudio.org.uk/pages/Aanvil-Audio-Uk-Special-Offers.html

http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread.php?88235-F-S-Bel-Canto-DAC1-5

even better

http://www.rdhworld.myzen.co.uk/smfcu/index.php?topic=23251.msg283445#msg283445

 

[banjoman]

If he prefers the analogue sound, can't recommend Metrum DACs highly enough

 

[myrman]

Jolida Glass FX II a no brainier at the price

http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread.php?86261-Jolida-Glass-FX-DAC-II

AN if you have more cash to spend. If the Shanling you are refering to is the DAC50 don't bother, it's very average sounding.

 

[BD Audio]

That Audionote in the classifieds is a good buy.

 

[chrisB]

How much does a weiss Dac 202 goes for nowadays?

I highly recommend it! :^

 

[Chivas]

Hi all, many thanks for your suggestions and pm's. I'm back from a couple weeks holiday today and will follow up on them.

Chivas

 

[belloire]

i've just borrowed an Audio Note Dac 2.1x to compare with my Meridian and i have to, begrudginly, say it's very, very good. i'm not sure what it gives above and beyond mine, but theres something more to it. i was hoping it wouldn't be much better, but sadly it is. (don't tell Steve.......)

 

[falcoron]

The AN 2.1 dac is a cracker and probably the best pound for pound dac in the AN range, but no USB ( easily sorted with an add on such as an M tech device) I have always wanted one and came up short with cash for the one on here. I opted for a wadia 121 which is a suprb wee dac and at £1200 new is great for a wadia, who do rather know a bit more than most when it comes to digital.

Anyway i have owned a fair few good dacs in my time and this is the best i have had or heard at this money. My previous dac was a YBA WD200 which for the money was fantastic, very well built and good looking as well. If you really want tubes in there then ( IMO) the audio note can't be beaten for that money, if you can't reach the price then the jolida is just bang on for little spend.

hope that helps rather than confuses.

FWIW i now use a cheap £99 Sony blu ray player as a transport, have had some up to £2500 inc AN,Theta, but never heard much difference from the sony blu ray so kept that and changed dac's.

Good luck

Ron

 

[ESK]

We both prefer analogue sounding to digital, and 2nd hand is great...

Listen to a Marantz SA7-S1. Should be just about in budget second hand. I had an AN 2.1X Sig and on demoing the SA7, sold the AN DAC.

The new Marantz SA11-S3 sounds a cracker (also has USB) but is going to be nearer £3k.

Euan.

 

[Chivas]

Hi Euan

Is there a massive difference between the S1/2/3 incarnations of the various models, or just minor upgrades? i.e. how would a SA11-S1 compare to an S3?

Chivas

 

[ESK]

Not sure Chivas.

The S3 is the new flagship so I would expect it to approach the performance of the SA7.