DAC to the Future

[Fretless]

Oh no!!!
I have 5 DAC's in regular use - forgot about the Teradak 2.7.
Really do need some help now...

[NSNO2021]

DACtastic

[CN211276]

I suppose I need help, going on my experience yesterday with security at Nairobi Airport. My AQ DF Red is attached to my phone and was stored in my headphone case. The security man seemed to think it was a suspect device of some sort and spent some time scrutenising it. Everything else got through with merely a glance.

It was a long joutney back to Cardiff and the DFR had a lot of use. Modern technology is amazing. I have over 100 lossless albums stored on the phone and USB Audio Player Pro upsamples to 96kHv. A very good sound through the Oppo closed headphones I always? take away with me. Even better through the open Grados and Chord Mojo at home.

The other DACs in regular use are the Chord Qutest on the main system and an Arcam bluehtooth mini blink on the second system which sounds surprisingly good through UAPP. I have a AQ DF black as back up and another mini blink on the main system which my other half uses for You Tube. I do not consider the Mscaler to be a DAC.

Perhaps I need a lot of help.

[Fretless]

The Teradak V4.5 Chameleon has arrived today.

I'm too busy listening to it to tell you all how amazing it is.

Be patient.

[CaterhamKev]

Any thoughts on the Audiolab M-DAC or M-DAC+ compared to my upgraded Caiman SEG?
Ideally I want a DAC with two coax inputs that is better than either my Caiman SEG, or my Asus Essence STX II.
Failing that, I am looking at upgrading the SEG further still. I have no idea how that will sound though.

[karatestu]

Only you will know (by listening) if they are better for you. Maybe a bit of box swapping is required ? Second hand ofc so you don't lose money

[CaterhamKev]

That is the snag. I don’t want to be changing my DAC too often by buying 2nd hand.
Being based in France, HiFi prices are a bit on the ricockulous side of things.

[slinger]

Have a word with MartinT over at TAS, he upgraded his SEG to the n^th degree before he bought a different DAC. I believe one of the members there bought it from him, so you might get some first-hand info.

[CaterhamKev]

Thanks Slinger. I am not a member of TAS, but I will go and have a read.

[Fretless]

Any thoughts on the Audiolab M-DAC or M-DAC+ compared to my upgraded Caiman SEG?
Ideally I want a DAC with two coax inputs that is better than either my Caiman SEG, or my Asus Essence STX II.
Failing that, I am looking at upgrading the SEG further still. I have no idea how that will sound though.

I've heard the Audiolab M-DAC and found it a bit veiled and restrained.

DAC's with 2 coax inputs: some Metrum models have that (my Musette certainly does) and one with an AES/EBU input can be used with an AES/RCA adaptor lead. The Doc made me one once from SSC - worked a treat. BNC/RCA is fine as well

The Cambridge DacMagic Plus can also be run with 2 coax inputs and sounds great with an SBooster LPSU, which coincidentally can also be implemented as an upgrade for the Beresford DAC.

Metrum & SBooster products (both from Holland) should be easily available in France.

Check out https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/devices- ... c-389.html (hint - Singxer SDA-1 or one of the Topping series).