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Author Topic: The Great DAC debate  (Read 4923 times)

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Tim

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The Great DAC debate
« on: August 26, 2003, 12:23:48 PM »
So I assume ya'll have been reading the Mini DAC v. Grace 901 comparison on the Oade board. Any thoughts on either of these two, or any DAC's in general? I think a DAC will be the next addition to my playback arsenal, though it will be a while, the DA-20mkII just isn't cutting it!

Offline MattD

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Re:The Great DAC debate
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2003, 12:38:30 PM »
I like my ULN-2 as a DAC, but I could see myself going for a Benchmark DAC-1 down the road. It'll be the last thing I add to my system, since the ULN-2 does the job for now. The difference between the ULN-2 and whatever I decide to add is pretty much nil until I upgrade the rest of my playback system.

-Matt
Out of the game … for now?

Offline twoodruff

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Re:The Great DAC debate
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2003, 02:49:19 PM »
well, I used the lucid 96/24 dac for awhile as it was popular, and it produced what I wanted at the time, which was just any dac, as I developed a taste for what sounds I liked I have listened to a few more and sold my lucid in exchange for no dac, Craig's CAL DAC is very tempting yet I dunno if I can come up with the money. After hearing good reviews from Moke I went and listened to this and enjoyed it, I auditioned it behind my playback and was wowed, like the lucid never did. Just a whole nother level. If you are looking for a good used one, I would go for that one.
No Mics
Clamps
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No Preamp
Recorders

Offline wboswell

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Re:The Great DAC debate
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2003, 03:31:25 PM »
Funny debate for sure.  It always humors me when someone steps up to the plate against Doug.  Especially when Doug takes such a strong stand on the MinDAC and the 901, given that the 901 is a headphone amp and not marketed as a DAC.  Very interesting read.

Offline zhianosatch

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Re:The Great DAC debate
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2003, 05:18:10 PM »
Funny debate for sure.  It always humors me when someone steps up to the plate against Doug.  Especially when Doug takes such a strong stand on the MinDAC and the 901, given that the 901 is a headphone amp and not marketed as a DAC.  Very interesting read.

Almost makes me suspect that something fishy is goin on between ol' Doug and Grace...

Offline dmonterisi

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Re:The Great DAC debate
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2003, 05:27:43 PM »
Funny debate for sure.  It always humors me when someone steps up to the plate against Doug.  Especially when Doug takes such a strong stand on the MinDAC and the 901, given that the 901 is a headphone amp and not marketed as a DAC.  Very interesting read.

Almost makes me suspect that something fishy is goin on between ol' Doug and Grace...

 :kiss2:

Tim

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Re:The Great DAC debate
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2003, 07:25:55 PM »
Funny debate for sure.  It always humors me when someone steps up to the plate against Doug.  Especially when Doug takes such a strong stand on the MinDAC and the 901, given that the 901 is a headphone amp and not marketed as a DAC.  Very interesting read.

Almost makes me suspect that something fishy is goin on between ol' Doug and Grace...

Just that they are old dead tour buddies and Doug is a retailer for the 901. 90% of the time I find Doug to be completely unbiased but this one just seems a little fishy.

Wish I had the money for the CAL as I've heard very good things about it.

Offline Wiggler

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Re:The Great DAC debate
« Reply #7 on: August 27, 2003, 07:24:27 AM »
Wadia makes the super Dac 27ix Decoding computer, its bad.
Digital Processing   24-bit
DAC Sample Rate    2.8224 MHz
Digital Inputs    Six inputs: 2 Glass Fiber Optic (ST), 2 SPDIF (BNC),
1 Plastic Fiber Optic (TOSLINK), 1 AES/EBU (XLR)
All inputs accept and decode standard digital audio formats,
from 32 kHz to 96 kHz, and from 16-24 bits.
http://www.wadia.com/products/products_main.htm

I'm a fan of the Musical Fidelity A324 24/192 dac for about $800.00
http://www.musicalfidelity.com/a32series.html
« Last Edit: August 27, 2003, 07:32:18 AM by Wiggler »

Offline HydroPANIC

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Re:The Great DAC debate
« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2003, 02:12:48 PM »
Doug is a purist...  He is always searching for the cleanest least colored signal path.  A True Audio Geek...

Plus, It's his opinion...
Live Long and Lucky,
MikeO

Offline BC

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Re:The Great DAC debate
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2003, 02:14:05 PM »
FWIW, I haven't heard the Grace 901, but there is a review of it in last month's Stereophile. Both the measurements and review echo Doug Oade's very positive comments. The measurements of noise floor, intermodulation distortion, and jitter are VERY close to those of high-end DA converters costing $3000 and up.

Wishing I had the $ to get one...

Ben


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Out: Morrison ELAD>Adcom GFA555mkII>Martin Logan Aerius i

Offline dmonterisi

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Re:The Great DAC debate
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2003, 02:21:22 PM »
there's no way i'm buying one now, but how much does a 901 cost?

Offline zhianosatch

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Re:The Great DAC debate
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2003, 02:32:25 PM »
$1500, or so the thread says

 

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