Next DAC: Marantz HD DAC1 or Audiolab M-DAC Plus, or other?
- Thread starter Crazeenick
- Start date
Paul Burke
pfm Member
The March dac1 for me beats anything on that list, and dacs I’ve heard from chord or naim ndac. It’s very cheap too. Only downside is it’s usb only input so depends on source compatibility too
They look like a bargain. How did you find it compared to the ISO-DAC? Or the Exogal for that matter?
Paul Burke
pfm Member
As good as anything I’ve owned/tried. Good bit of kit
dannybgoode
Active Member
At least demo the Rega DAC R. Most ‘natural’ sounding DAC I’ve heard at anywhere near a sensible price.
If you can live without 24/196 on the sub input then the original Rega DAC is essentially the same unit and can be found for a very good price these days. Lovely sounding thing.
If you can live without 24/196 on the sub input then the original Rega DAC is essentially the same unit and can be found for a very good price these days. Lovely sounding thing.
Crazeenick
pfm Member
Am I right in saying the Rega DAC R doesn't play DSD files?
Crazeenick
pfm Member
The What HiFi review of the Rega DAC-R says that the perfomance is let down by the USB input. Has anybody found this to be true? I will mainly be using the USB input from a laptop/computer.
Paul Burke
pfm Member
Usb should be the ideal input for any good quality dac. If it’s not then something lacking in the dacs implementation of it, normally with less recent dacs. All the ones I’ve tried over the last few years has done usb I put very well and either is the only option, or the best of the bunch
dannybgoode
Active Member
The original Rega DAC (non-R) is fine by usb but doesn’t go to 24/196. The R has a better usb implementation and does.
What HiFi are not the most reliable of witnesses to be fair
Audition some options and trust your ears and not someone else’s opinion.
HabUK
pfm Member
I've had an M-DAC for a few months now sat between my Node 2 and my amp, listening mostly to my own flacs and Tidal, couldn't be happier, cant see myself changing it any time soon. I listen mostly to metal but lots of different styles as well, definitely adds the zest and excitement that was missing from the on board dac of the Node. Myself, I couldn't justify going above £500 and this fits perfectly, and although you don't need it, the headphone amp is stellar as well!
Crazeenick
pfm Member
Is that the original M-DAC or the newer M-DAC Plus?
HabUK
pfm Member
Mine is the original M-Dac, the + is a couple of hundred quid more.
Paulq2
pfm Member
I think I just ran out of patience trying to figure it out. Things that are that complex (particularly when they are supposed to be simple) don't tend to last long with me.
Pity, as it does seem well regarded and I have been after a decent DAC/Amp for headphone duties for a while. Have just been trying to suss out which would be the best one.
loz2103
pfm Member
I think I just ran out of patience trying to figure it out. Things that are that complex (particularly when they are supposed to be simple) don't tend to last long with me.
Pity, as it does seem well regarded and I have been after a decent DAC/Amp for headphone duties for a while. Have just been trying to suss out which would be the best one.
Oh I totally see where you are coming from. In my case the flexibility was worth the faff. However, it would be vastly improved if the options could be easily manipulated via an external input, i.e. pc over usb.