Need a DAC...

Upstatemax
Upstatemax Posts: 2,670
edited March 2014 in 2 Channel Audio
Seriously leaning toward the Alpha Design Labs Esprit.

I'm most likely going to skip the CD/SACD player for the 2ch system and this seems like the best bet to handle what I need.

I'll need a Pre/DAC to handle the TT signal from then Cambridge and some form of digital music. I'm thinking if I go with the Esprit I can run Lossless from my MacBook Pro and skip a CD player all together...

But IF I do the the Esprit I have the added flexibility to add a CD/SACD source with a second Analog input...

Anyone have hands on experience with the Esprit?

I'm really struggling with if I should get tubes back into the 2ch system... I love them but they can be expensive and I'm not really finding something to handle the analog and digital stuff within my budget.
Post edited by Upstatemax on
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited January 2014
    I just upgraded to the Auralic Vega DAC from a Bryston BDA-2. This DAC is GREAT. It can be used as a pre, supports DSD along with PCM, has 4 digital filters for PCM, and two for DSD. It is reviewed in both the absolute sound and stereophile in the February 2014 issue, and is favorably compared to the dCS Vivaldi DAC at 50K. I am very, very happy with this DAC, and it is only $3500 at Acoustic Sounds.

    http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/94856/AURALiC-Vega_DSD_Compatible_Digital_Audio_Processor-DA_Converter_or_Processor
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,670
    edited January 2014
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I just upgraded to the Auralic Vega DAC from a Bryston BDA-2. This DAC is GREAT. It can be used as a pre, supports DSD along with PCM, has 4 digital filters for PCM, and two for DSD. It is reviewed in both the absolute sound and stereophile in the February 2014 issue, and is favorably compared to the dCS Vivaldi DAC at 50K. I am very, very happy with this DAC, and it is only $3500 at Acoustic Sounds.

    http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/94856/AURALiC-Vega_DSD_Compatible_Digital_Audio_Processor-DA_Converter_or_Processor


    It looks AWESOME...

    But the $3,000 extra was just spent on carpet for my living room... The 3 year old just friggin destroyed the current one.

    Under $1,000 is the most I can really swing.

    Having two kids (3yrs and 8 months) means I just spent $3,000 on "playroom" upgrades" $4,000 on a playground for the backyard AND $7,000 to install the F***ing playground....

    Stereo upgrades have taken a VERY distant backseat with the monetary train. :(
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited January 2014
    Yikes! You should buy stereo gear and let the kids play with the boxes. :smile:
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • drselect
    drselect Posts: 664
    edited January 2014
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Yikes! You should buy stereo gear and let the kids play with the boxes. :smile:
    Thats funny. :)
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  • 11tsteve
    11tsteve Posts: 1,166
    edited January 2014
    please adopt me... i'll bring my DAC-It....
    Polk Lsi9
    N.E.W. A-20 class A 20W
    NAD 1020 completely refurbished
    Keces DA-131 mk.II
    Analysis Plus Copper Oval, Douglass, Morrow SUB3, Huffman Digital
    Paradigm DSP-3100 v.2
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  • Habanero Monk
    Habanero Monk Posts: 715
    edited January 2014
    Try the Apogee Duet 2. When I get around my next iteration of computer based audio it will be a Mac Mini and the Apogee Duet 2. After speaker upgrade though. The budget is being saved.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,727
    edited January 2014
    It's a bit over your budget but if you can make use of the extra functionality to help justify the price I'd take a look at the Oppo 105.

    Also, the DAC that Dskip has have the Oppo a run for its money but don't know if it had a preamp section like the Oppo does. I think we all still preferred the Oppo but it was close...
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,670
    edited February 2014
    Bit of an update...

    Last night while getting ready for bed I notice spots of water on the floor right under one of my windows as well as a small water spot on my ceiling ...

    Called in a roofer today to find out that they never installed a ridge vent in my attic over the upstairs of my house! So the attic it soaked from condensation.

    There goes my DAC $$$...

    Looks like I'll be holding off.
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  • chandler9a
    chandler9a Posts: 878
    edited February 2014
    I bought a Channel Island VDA Dac 2 and am very happy with it for the price. They are hard to come by but worth it if you can find one.

    You need to install that playground yourself, I've done it and it can suck but its worth the money saved!

    I've also lived in Albany, five years. Used to go to Hippos just to drool over the Mac gear...
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,670
    edited February 2014
    chandler9a wrote: »
    I bought a Channel Island VDA Dac 2 and am very happy with it for the price. They are hard to come by but worth it if you can find one.

    You need to install that playground yourself, I've done it and it can suck but its worth the money saved!

    I've also lived in Albany, five years. Used to go to Hippos just to drool over the Mac gear...

    Free set up for the Playground...

    Final tree removal, stump removal, leveling, edging and synthetic "mulch" around the playground is where all the money is coming from. Twice the price of the playground JUST to get the yard ready for it! As you can tell, this is my wife's idea.

    Where do you live now?

    I actually live in Clifton Park, I just put Albany down because it's minutes from me and some people at least know where Albany is!
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  • chandler9a
    chandler9a Posts: 878
    edited February 2014
    Ah I see, that can add up.

    I live in Ithaca, I went to UAlbany for school.
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  • brianle
    brianle Posts: 572
    edited February 2014
    Eastern Electric Minimax Plus DAC. Offers both tube and solid state mode. You can further tailor the sound to your liking by rolling op-amps.
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  • Devlon
    Devlon Posts: 355
    edited February 2014
    Upstatemax I may sell a couple of my DACS when you get in a better state, lol. Just let me know.

    I have a Keces DA-151 http://www.flickr.com/photos/86522064@N06/sets/72157640448691163/ 9/10 condition and a

    Wyred 4 Sound Dac 2 http://www.flickr.com/photos/86522064@N06/sets/72157638336403274/ 9.75/10 condition
    Living Room: HK AVR 354 as pre/pro, 2 x Polk Audio Micropro 4000, Adcom GFA-7500, 2 x Mirage OMD-15
    2 x Mirage OMD-5, 1 x Mirage OMD-C1, APC H15, Sony S790, Philips 52" LCD, Beogram 3000, FAT (Firestone Audio Tobby DAC), Harmony One

    Den: Sherwood R-972,as pre/pro, 2 x Velodyne SPL-1000R, 3 x Crown Drivecore XLS1500, 2 x Polk Audio Lsi9
    1 x Polk Audio Lsic, 2 x Polk Audio Lsifx, Sony S790, APC H15, Dspeaker Dual Core 2.0, W4S DAC 2, Keces DA-151
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,670
    edited March 2014
    back from the dead!

    Decided to pick up a Musical Fidelity M1 S DAC.

    It will allow me to hook up everything I need to it and the reviews are positive.

    I'll post a review once I get it in and give it time to burn in!

    http://www.musicalfidelity.com/m1sdac/
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  • chandler9a
    chandler9a Posts: 878
    edited March 2014
    Very nice! Looking forward to hearing how you like it.
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,670
    edited March 2014
    chandler9a wrote: »
    Very nice! Looking forward to hearing how you like it.

    Should be delivered tomorrow.

    I'll need to pick up a new USB cable to hook up the MacBook. I'm leaning heavily towards an AudioQuest Cinnamon...
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