PS Audio vs Peachtree DAC

hochpt21

Budget is $500.

I know there are a lot of entry level dacs around the $500 mark. Arcam, Cambridge, MF, Peachtree, etc.

From the research I have done, I feel like the Peachtree DacIt is the way to go.

However, any thoughts on if a used PS audio digital link 3 would best all of these new entry level dacs?

I will not be running usb, and I will not need balanced connections.

Basically I will have the squeezebox connected via coax and the TV connected via optical.

The PS audio interests me as I have a PS phono stage, and I could set them next to each other on the shelf.

Thoughts appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul

Edit...This will be paired with a Parasound P3 and a B&K 200.2.

PSOVLSK

Just in case you haven't seen this thread. Great write-up by Assimilated.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?133568-Entry-Level-DAC-Comparison-Results

SCompRacer

Hey Paul, I have a couple of friends that have the PS Audio DL III DAC's. Blake (Brock's brother) and Doug (dkg999). As I recall it sounded great in both their systems and can be had within your budget used. It has the inputs you want. Doug has been pretty busy of late but you could PM him for more specifics and comparisons he has made. IIRC he is using a Music Hall 25.3 now as it had both tube and SS out.

You can also pop the hood and mod the thing (or have it modded) too.:cheesygrin:

dkg999

As Rich said, I have the PS Audio DL III DAC in my main 2 ch system. I've always been really impressed with the SQ it produces, especially when you can now buy them at essentially half the original MSRP. A very smooth natural sounding DAC. I really have no complaints about it. I have the Music Hall 25.3 DAC in my office rig. The advantage is that you can change the SQ by changing the tube, at least for the RCA outputs. The tubed output of the Music Hall DAC nicely tames the metal dome tweeters on my Paradigm Studio Reference 20v3 monitors. For $500 I would go with the PS Audio DL III DAC. There are several places to have it modded if you are longing for more!

hochpt21

Thanks for the feedback.

I did read that thread by assimilated, and that is part of the reason I am looking hard into the Peachtree.

I just got the PS Audio phono stage today, however, and really like the look. I've read some good reviews on the Dlink 3 so if the sound quality is there, the matching look of the phono stage would be a bonus.

polkfarmboy

There is a smoking deal on audiogon for a dl111 with cullen stage 4 mods for 650. The cullenmods got rave reviews in magazines

AsSiMiLaTeD

The PS Audio is a fine DAC and was a GREAT DAC when it was released.

I like the Sabre chip and implementation in the Peachtree though and feel like it bests the ps by a good margin.

It's not really a fair comparison IMO as the peachtree has the advantage of a more modern chip and several more years of research in a world where external DACs are now really part of any hifi setup

hochpt21

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

It's not really a fair comparison IMO as the peachtree has the advantage of a more modern chip and several more years of research in a world where external DACs are now really part of any hifi setup

Thats a good point and I thought of it as well. I didn't know if in this case, the PS Audio was originally such a better built machine that it would stand over newer entry level units for a long time. Similar in thought to the GFP750 preamp that still is held in high regard.

Thank you for the input. Good info.

hochpt21

polkfarmboy wrote: »

There is a smoking deal on audiogon for a dl111 with cullen stage 4 mods for 650. The cullenmods got rave reviews in magazines

$625 actually...that does seem like a smoking deal...interesting.

AsSiMiLaTeD

hochpt21 wrote: »

Thats a good point and I thought of it as well. I didn't know if in this case, the PS Audio was originally such a better built machine that it would stand over newer entry level units for a long time. Similar in thought to the GFP750 preamp that still is held in high regard.

Thank you for the input. Good info.

The key difference though is that preamps have been around for decades and technology especially on the 2 channel side really hasn't changed all that much. My Parasound p/hp 850 is another great example of an older model that still sounds great.

Obviously DACs have been around since the days of the first CD player, but they've become more mainstream the last few years and as a result more companies are involved and the inevitable outcome of that is more research and better products, though you may have to wade through the field of bad products to find the good ones.

I have not heard the ps with the Cullen moda so cannot comment there.

hochpt21

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

The key difference though is that preamps have been around for decades and technology especially on the 2 channel side really hasn't changed all that much. My Parasound p/hp 850 is another great example of an older model that still sounds great.

Obviously DACs have been around since the days of the first CD player, but they've become more mainstream the last few years and as a result more companies are involved and the inevitable outcome of that is more research and better products, though you may have to wade through the field of bad products to find the good ones.

Makes sense.

polkfarmboy

hochpt21 wrote: »

$625 actually...that does seem like a smoking deal...interesting.

Oops its actually $610, If you think about the norm price for the dl3 being around $450 then its only $160 more for an upgrade that blows away any other dl3 and makes it more on par with higher priced dacs. The analogue stage in that thing is top notch quality, I have seen many Martin Logan owners rave about it used with big ticket components.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I could see it pairing well with some ML or a more forward sounding speaker for sure

hochpt21

Thanks again all for the input. And thanks PFB for the heads up.

I ended up grabbing that DLIII with Cullen IV mods. It'll be here tomorrow.

Wife will be happy as she liked the look of the PS phono stage, so these two will sit side by side and should look pretty sharp.

My upgrading is done for now. I know it's low level stuff to a lot of you, but I will do my best to post impressions on each piece of new gear as I implement it.

polkfarmboy

That Dac you have there with those expensive mods is anything but low level, congrats and I look forward to your impressions

AsSiMiLaTeD

I"m sure you'll like the DL3 just fine

hochpt21

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

I"m sure you'll like the DL3 just fine

I definitely appreciate your suggestions above. I read your dac shootout like 10 times.

SCompRacer

Congrats Paul! The mods reduce jitter (replaced clocks) and improve the analog output stage. This is more than low level stuff. I've done similar mods to other DAC's and achieved great gains.