Planing on next component in my Audio Nirvana and first DAC purchase

Sumerian

Hello there guys...


I need your input on the DACs, I have shortlisted few DACs I would greatly appreciate if you could share your opinions.

Nad51
Bryston BDA-2
W4S Dac-2


I am running LSIMs with Parasound A51.
I wanted to start from the source and add Cary SLP05 down some time in near future.
Right now I am planning to get a good DAC.

BlueFox

I have read good reviews of the NAD, and critical comments from individuals. I like it because it has an HDMI input, so I could use it with an old Oppo 83 to play Blue Rays. I have the Bryston BDA2. It replaced the Bryston BDP-1. The BDP-2 removed a haze from the music that I didn't know was there until it was gone. I don't know anything about the W4S.

As a side note, my BDP-1 is for sale. This is a great first DAC.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?158859-Bryston-BDA-1-DAC

tonyb

A budget would help with the suggestions you get. If your planning on the SLP05 down the road, maybe the Cary 100t would fit nicely.

Sumerian

Thanks for the replies guys.
Want to get the one with 32 bit processor and with XLR outputs.
and My budget is 2K.

checked the benchmark dac2 spec looks very impressive with 4:1 redundancy and what not but looks like it is not so good compared to the list above.

eclypse

Best really take a look at the dc-1. Its only $500! Prob has more options then any other dac ur looking at.

http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/26584/dc-1
http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/processors/products/stealth-dc-2

tonyb

Anyone looking at a 5000.00 buck pre amp....might think twice about adding a 500 buck dac to it.

That level of pre amp deserves something along the lines of a Weis, Berkeley, Ayre, Ps Audio perfect wave, etc.

VCoak

I own the W4S DAC2-DSDse with Femto clock upgrade. My opinion can only be taken just for this one as I have not tried the Bryston series or NAD.

My system is in a major overall so I switch the DAC between a older PC laptop and a '12 Mac Mini (Audio only). Most files are FLAC. Prior to the W4S I only listened to 16/44.1 sample rates. Now with DSD downloads ( web sights; 2L and Blue Coast) the music is incredible. I have had zero issues and I am close to 50 hours.

W4S offers a trial program. FWIW, I personally have found classical and jazz sound the best on this Dac.