Audiolab MDAC + vs Luxman DA-250

[Vivek Batra]

Hi FMs

I need your urgent help on deciding between the two DACs. I have no prior experience with any of the component. I am going to pair the dac with following

1. Luxman 590 AXII Integrated Amplifier
2. Klipsch Forte Speakers

It will be great help to me if you could compare the two DACs and is it worth staying with in the same brand (Luxman) for the dac as well? I do not see any advantage in Luxman over Audiolab. Almost same specs but the price difference is double.

For you convenience I have pulled down the specs for both the models below. Kindly suggest which one should be more suitable for the system overall.

Thanks a lot.

Specifications	Audiolab MDAC+	Luxman DA-250
Front
Back
Sampling Frequencies	24-bit / 192kHz (Optical, Coaxial, AES)	USB input (PCM) : 32k, 44.1k, 48k, 88.2k 96k, 176.4k, 192k(16, 24, 32bits) USB input (DSD) : 2.82M, 5.64MHz (1bit) COAX/OPT input : 32k, 44.1k, 48k, 88.2k 96k, 176.4k, 192kHz (16, 20, 24bits) MC HIGH: 0.37mV, MC LOW: 0.12mV
Digital Inputs	2 x Coaxial, 2 x Toslink Optical, 1 x AES/EBU, 1 x USB for PC USB, 1x USB for iPod/iPhone/iPad	USB x 1, COAX x 1, OPT x 2
Digital Outputs	1x Coaxial, 1 x Toslink Optical	COAX x 1, OPT x 1
Analogue Input	None	Unbalance x 1
Analogue Output	Unbalance x 1, Balance x 1, Headphone x 1	Unbalance x 1, Balance x 1, Headphone x 1
DAC	ESS Sabre32 9018 chip	Texas Instrument 32-bit compatible PCM1795
MQA	No	No
Balanced output voltage/Impedance	20Ω	2.5V/600Ω
Unbalanced output voltage/impedance	10Ω	2.5V/300Ω
Headphone output	Not known	130mW + 130mW(600Ω) 400mW + 400mW(32Ω), 200mW + 200mW(16Ω)
Frequency Response	20Hz - 20kHz (± 0.2dB)	2Hz to 50kHz (+0, -3.0dB)
THD @ 1kHz	<0.002%	0.001%
SNR	RCA: > -115dB, XLR: > -120dB	118dB
Dynamic Range	RCA: > 115dB, XLR: > 120dB	Not known
Crosstalk	RCA: > 120dB, XLR: > 130dB	Not known
Dimensions	114mm x 247mm x 292mm	364(W) x 81(H) x 279(D) mm
Net Weight	3.7kg	5.4kg
Color	Black + Silver	Silver
Price	x	2x

 

[jai1611]

The Audiolab DACs have the reputation of being very neutral. May come across as bright depending on your preference. Not worth buying blind in my opinion.

No view on Luxman - dont know if it has the same traits.

 

[Vivek Batra]

The Audiolab DACs have the reputation of being very neutral. May come across as bright depending on your preference. Not worth buying blind in my opinion.

No view on Luxman - dont know if it has the same traits.

Well I do not have means to audition any of the two. FM @sunand777 bought Audiolab and he is content with it but suggesting me to go for Luxman

 

[prem]

Because of the chips used, Luxman is likely to be more organic. Audiolab would probably have higher resolution

 

[Vivek Batra]

Because of the chips used, Luxman is likely to be more organic. Audiolab would probably have higher resolution

Honestly don't know what it means organic vs higher resolution.

 

[prem]

Musical flow of Luxman will be better. Go with Luxman.

 

[mpw]

PCM 1795 with Mr Laxman..

If you can afford..go with Mr Laxman..in this case

IMO

 

[Vivek Batra]

PCM 1795 with Mr Laxman..

If you can afford..go with Mr Laxman..in this case

IMO

I can stretch for Luxman. This is good feedback on the basis of chip.

Much appreciated.

 

[rikhav]

QUOTE="Vivek Batra, post: 858220, member: 90907"]
Honestly don't know what it means organic vs higher resolution.
[/QUOTE]


Why are in such a hurry to buy the dac?
Atleast hear your amp speaker for a month even with a DVD player and check what kind of tone you are getting and then decide on a dac
Specifications just give you just half picture

 

[prem]

I agree with Rikhav. Don’t rush

 

[Vivek Batra]

QUOTE="Vivek Batra, post: 858220, member: 90907"]
Honestly don't know what it means organic vs higher resolution.

Why are in such a hurry to buy the dac?
Atleast hear your amp speaker for a month even with a DVD player and check what kind of tone you are getting and then decide on a dac
Specifications just give you just half picture
[/QUOTE]
Reasons to hurry are
1. I do not have anything else to hook up with the amp to play
2. Luxman has discontinued all the dacs, only few are left to pick that too not sure.

3. If I decide anything else not Luxman then I can wait no problem. I am already waiting with speakers still packed in a corner. I don't mind to do the same with amp + speakers now. But it's very tough I hope you would agree.

 

[rikhav]

Why are in such a hurry to buy the dac?
Atleast hear your amp speaker for a month even with a DVD player and check what kind of tone you are getting and then decide on a dac
Specifications just give you just half picture

Reasons to hurry are
1. I do not have anything else to hook up with the p to play
2. Luxman has discontinued all the dacs, only few are left to pick that too not sure.

3. If I decide anything else not Luxman then I can wait no problem. I am already waiting with speakers still packed in a corner. I don't mind to do the same with amp + speakers now. But it's very tough I hope you would agree.
[/QUOTE]


I still don't agree.
The speakers you have need careful pairing .
If not laxman there are so many other brands to choose from
Unless you don't know what sound you want how can you choose the right DAC?

Unless you are very fine to take a gamble and then again buy a new dac

More so because you still don't have experience with different aspects of sound

 

[Vivek Batra]

Reasons to hurry are
1. I do not have anything else to hook up with the p to play
2. Luxman has discontinued all the dacs, only few are left to pick that too not sure.

3. If I decide anything else not Luxman then I can wait no problem. I am already waiting with speakers still packed in a corner. I don't mind to do the same with amp + speakers now. But it's very tough I hope you would agree.

I still don't agree.
The speakers you have need careful pairing .
If not laxman there are so many other brands to choose from
Unless you don't know what sound you want how can you choose the right DAC?

Unless you are very fine to take a gamble and then again buy a new dac

More so because you still don't have experience with different aspects of sound
[/QUOTE]
I need something to play what should be the approach then?

 

[rikhav]

I still don't agree.
The speakers you have need careful pairing .
If not laxman there are so many other brands to choose from
Unless you don't know what sound you want how can you choose the right DAC?

Unless you are very fine to take a gamble and then again buy a new dac

More so because you still don't have experience with different aspects of sound

I need something to play what should be the approach then?
[/QUOTE]

Buy an entry level CD player which you can always sell again and should sell without any hassles
It's OK to take a hit of around 5 to 7k which you may loose once you sell the CD player , rather then taking a gamble with dac costing few lacs

 

[RRR]

Well suggested by Rikhav.
1. Dont rush to buy a Dac.
It is not a mandatory requirement
2. Buy a Cd player.- subject to you having a cd collection. Maybe a mid level player like Rega, Naim, Marantz, Exposure.
I have heard all these players and they are all excellent even without external Dac.
The need for a Dac arises more from the need to play computer audio and various file formats.

 

[Vivek Batra]

Well suggested by Rikhav.
1. Dont rush to buy a Dac.
It is not a mandatory requirement
2. Buy a Cd player. Maybe a mid level player like Rega, Naim, Marantz, Exposure.
I have heard all these players and they all excellent even without external Dac.

I am sure they would be good products. As they all might be having internal dacs so no external dac requirement.

See I do not have any digital media collection not a single disc. For now I will fully rely on streaming or downloaded media files.

I don't get the idea how a cd player will help me to decide what kind of dac I need.Should I experiment by switching different players with different dac chips? Please excuse me for my little to no common sense but this is how I am.

 

[joell]

You can also check
Audiolab 8300cdq

 

[RRR]

Ok i get it. If you do not have a Cd collection then the player is not much use to you.
As your source is going to be streaming and downloads, then your best option is the Streamer cum Dac like the Cxn or Naim and few others as suggested before.

 

[mpw]

what rikhav means is that

a. first get the music going on your Luxman amp and Klipsch Fortes
b. Get them to sound correct with speaker positioning etc...
c. For this process you might not need an expensive dac
d. While you play music with the above 3 points in play - your mind will wander to what kind of sound you like in your room and WITH the amp and speakers

Then go fishing for the big one..

I guess thats what he is trying to say and his thoughts have some merit.

OTOH

if you find Luxman DA 250 too attractive - go for it !

I am quite sure a Luxman DAC wont be too bad at all

It just depends on the buyer and his way of thinking

There is no right or wrong here..

Just 2 different approaches.

Good luck and let us know what you went for !

regards

 

[Vivek Batra]

Ok i get it. If you do not have a Cd collection then the player is not much use to you.
As your source is going to be streaming and downloads, then your best option is the Streamer cum Dac like the Cxn or Naim and few others as suggested before.

Yea that makes sense to go for dac cum streamer. Even there are people who were totally against this. That confused me more. Now I would prefer the cheapest option out of dac and dac cum streamer.