Suggestions for DAC under 75k

[LBRS]

Hello Forum Members

I have the following setup currently.
Source - Oppo BDP 93 Blueray player
Amp - Soul Note A1 Integrated Amp
Speakers - Vienna Acoustics Bookshelf

Looking to add a DAC as my current amplifier is purely analog without any built in DAC

Few months back I read reviews about MHDT Orchid NOS DAC online and there are many positive reviews. However they are shipped from Taiwan and I don’t know how much it would cost them to bring it to India with customs etc. Eventually I would want to get the MHDT DAC in a year or two.

Since I have never used a dedicated DAC in the current setup, wanted to buy something's under $500 (used) and try it out for a year before I upgrade to Orchid.

One of my close relatives is coming from the US next month. I was thinking of ordering an used DAC from EBay and have them bring it for me.

Looking for suggestions from the forum members. Besides the price, need something that is under 4/5 kgs and that can be carried easily in a checkin or carry on luggage

Thanks in advance

 

[rwnano]

Topping, smsl Fosi audio

 

[rwnano]

Also there's a burson DAC available in Delhi Gurgaon with someone . Mods this should be okay to post?

FYI please .
Hope it helps...no affiliation with the seller.

used hi-fi music stuffs / sale and purchase | 2.5 years old, few months warranty left | Facebook

2.5 years old, few months warranty left. Bill & box available. Very good condition.

www.facebook.com

 

[morerajendra5678]

Hello Forum Members

I have the following setup currently.
Source - Oppo BDP 93 Blueray player
Amp - Soul Note A1 Integrated Amp
Speakers - Vienna Acoustics Bookshelf

Looking to add a DAC as my current amplifier is purely analog without any built in DAC

Few months back I read reviews about MHDT Orchid NOS DAC online and there are many positive reviews. However they are shipped from Taiwan and I don’t know how much it would cost them to bring it to India with customs etc. Eventually I would want to get the MHDT DAC in a year or two.

Since I have never used a dedicated DAC in the current setup, wanted to buy something's under $500 (used) and try it out for a year before I upgrade to Orchid.

One of my close relatives is coming from the US next month. I was thinking of ordering an used DAC from EBay and have them bring it for me.

Looking for suggestions from the forum members. Besides the price, need something that is under 4/5 kgs and that can be carried easily in a checkin or carry on luggage

Thanks in advance

If you are serious about getting MHDT Orchid, for the stop-gap arrangement, you can get EC Design RX dac available for sale in this form. That will be miles better than any SMSL or topping Dacs.
But in case you just want to go in for new ones, I will suggest you Denafrips Enyo. Cost will be around 85000 but you can enjoy the denafrips R2R sound without spending a huge amount.

 

[reignofchaos]

You have a soulnote A1 amp and you want to put a 50k dac with it?

 

[LBRS]

You have a soulnote A1 amp and you want to put a 50k dac with it?

Agree not a great idea. I bought the amp earlier this year, can’t afford another big purchase for another two years, hence going for something at a small budget

 

[MaSh]

Have you checked this one?

DENAFRIPS - Enyo 15th

https://www.headphonezone.in/products/denafrips-enyo-15th?srsltid=AfmBOoqlD-2_q6YKze9sL3eTZgAVJ7jH8BeOxG8eOANFVMaS_cT6Isjv

MaSh

 

[LBRS]

Also there's a burson DAC available in Delhi Gurgaon with someone . Mods this should be okay to post?

FYI please .
Hope it helps...no affiliation with the seller.

used hi-fi music stuffs / sale and purchase | 2.5 years old, few months warranty left | Facebook

2.5 years old, few months warranty left. Bill & box available. Very good condition.

www.facebook.com

Thanks will check it out

 

[vinothkumar]

Hello Forum Members

I have the following setup currently.
Source - Oppo BDP 93 Blueray player
Amp - Soul Note A1 Integrated Amp
Speakers - Vienna Acoustics Bookshelf

Looking to add a DAC as my current amplifier is purely analog without any built in DAC

Few months back I read reviews about MHDT Orchid NOS DAC online and there are many positive reviews. However they are shipped from Taiwan and I don’t know how much it would cost them to bring it to India with customs etc. Eventually I would want to get the MHDT DAC in a year or two.

Since I have never used a dedicated DAC in the current setup, wanted to buy something's under $500 (used) and try it out for a year before I upgrade to Orchid.

One of my close relatives is coming from the US next month. I was thinking of ordering an used DAC from EBay and have them bring it for me.

Looking for suggestions from the forum members. Besides the price, need something that is under 4/5 kgs and that can be carried easily in a checkin or carry on luggage

Thanks in advance

Save up some money, buy a better one. Don't fall for the cheapo Chinese DACs; your setup needs a better one. Try to get at least the audiobyte dac, speak to Mr. Venkat on this.

 

[DB1989]

Hello Forum Members

I have the following setup currently.
Source - Oppo BDP 93 Blueray player
Amp - Soul Note A1 Integrated Amp
Speakers - Vienna Acoustics Bookshelf

Looking to add a DAC as my current amplifier is purely analog without any built in DAC

Few months back I read reviews about MHDT Orchid NOS DAC online and there are many positive reviews. However they are shipped from Taiwan and I don’t know how much it would cost them to bring it to India with customs etc. Eventually I would want to get the MHDT DAC in a year or two.

Since I have never used a dedicated DAC in the current setup, wanted to buy something's under $500 (used) and try it out for a year before I upgrade to Orchid.

One of my close relatives is coming from the US next month. I was thinking of ordering an used DAC from EBay and have them bring it for me.

Looking for suggestions from the forum members. Besides the price, need something that is under 4/5 kgs and that can be carried easily in a checkin or carry on luggage

Thanks in advance

All DACs that i've experienced below 2L are a bit of a compromise in one area or another. With that out of the way, my vote would go to the Gustard R26 because it has, in my experience, the most refined presentation and organisation of the lot with emphasis, subjectively of course, to all the right notes that i'd want to pop. Used examples 1/1.5 yrs old can be found in the 80-90k mark.

I have heard it with a variety of amps viz. Prima Luna Pre & Power, Luxman 590AX-ii, Kinki Studio EX-M1+, Musical Fidelity M6si, Willsenton R800i, Cambridge Audio CXA81, Tonewinner AD2500, Willsenton R8, to name a notable few, and it paired well with all of them. Speakers that i've tried them with are the Avant Garde Trio, Tannoy Turnberry GR-OW, Spendor Classic 2/3, Scansonic MB3.5, Tannoy DC8, Dynaudio Focus 160, ATC SCM 11, Definitive Technology D9 and it paired beautifully with the said speakers unlike some other DACs of a similar price range i've heard, including but not limited to the Denafrips Pontus.

If I'd had to nitpick, I wish the soundstage was wider and the dynamics were stronger with a little more meat on the bone in the presentation - the RME ADI-2 DAC FS and most other Delta Sigma DACs of a similar price point will better it in this regard. However, I have tried Delta Sigma DACs of this price category with the aforementioned speakers and despite their pros, the lack of refinement and the inferior layer separation vis-a-vis the Gustard R26 is evident. This is not much of a concern with the Delta Sigma DACs while listening to EDM and in fact, sounds better. However, for most other Genres of music, the Gustard R26 sounds better.