outboard DAC

Seeing al the discussion going on recently about the Chord DAC64, this has got me interested in possibly looking at a DAC to use with my Pioneer 656.

Based on this, which of this two is recommended (will be looking in second hand market):

Chord DAC 64
MF A32.4

I thank you.

 

CAL Sigma or Alpha. I much prefer them to the DAC64, and they can be had for under £400 secondhand.

-- Ian

 

Do you have any link for their literature.

 

They're no longer in business, unfortunately. CAL = California Audio Labs, some googling and a hunt around the normal sites should find you some info and reviews.

-- Ian

 

musical fidelity x-24. one of the gear for sale, its a very good dac., less than £200

I was'nt really impressed, well yes I was impressed with the dac64, it was just big and brash.

 

I've heard good results using Pioneers with Xdac, (admittedly the Stable Platter CD Drawer players)

Add the off board power supply made by MF as well and a quality digital lead and apart from a lot of boxes you will get a different sound altogether! whether you like it or not is a different matter.

Xdacs seem to go quite quickly on the second hand market so you an also shunt it on again and spend a bit more on the DAC64 in a few months if you feel that it might be the way to go.

I started playing with DACs a few years ago and seemed to be hooked on them, so be warned

 

TAG have one of their DAC20s for sale at £400. http://www.tagmclaren.com/great/sounds.asp

 

My god, they're not still offloading their old stock are they? They must have made thousands of them!

£400 is a good price for a DAC20 allthough they can be had for less in the s/h market but at least from Tag you'll get the warranty etc.

I would of course go for a DAC64 . It's easily the best digital reply I've ever heard and in a different league from them Tag DAC20 (my previous DAC). I'd love to hear a CAL Sigma one of these days though.

Michael.

 

You could try a midly souped up super dac, easily a match for dac 64 and about 1/5 the price too, plus no hard tendanices

 

Hmm..the souped up SuperDac might be good but I think that "easily a match for the DAC64" is stretching credibility to breaking point. Also still trying to perpetuate the "DAC64 is hard" myth

I know it's not a likely possibility Tone but you really should come over to Lisbon one of these days and listen to my system and then tell me if the DAC64 is hard

Michael.

 

Thanks guys, will keep an eye out for all the recommendations. Only thing is I will have to buy blind and keep my fingers crossed.

 

Mike, have you plugged your new amp in yet ?

 

Plugged in my new preamp :MILD: Power amp still awaiting construction as the case has yet to arrive

The preamp (review coming shortly) hasn't changed my opinion of the DAC64 if that's what you meant System is sounding better than ever. If the DAC64 is hard as nails then they must be velvet nails

Michael.

 

I heard TAG got rid of Udo Zucker. Any truth to the rumour?

 

Stuff the 'percieved wisdom' about Tag being in trouble and listen to a DAC20! At £400 (even less second hand) it's a bargain.

 

Eagle,
I used my Pioneer 656 with my MF DAC A3.24 for a long time. IMHO this is a good combination. I don;t think you will be disappointed. The A3.24 can be had for about £400 2nd hand.

I swaped the 656 to an old TEAC VDRS-7 cdp as a transport (if nothing else for convienience as it was bloody anoying that the scart took the dvd picture everytime the DVD player was turned on).
The TEAC does give a better sound (a little more detail) but it is, well was, a £600 player and the VDRS transport is a really good one for transports.

Best of luck in whatever you choose.

 

I'd would say the bargin was very average, and £400 you can do better

 

I had a DAC20. Didn't like it. Very dull indeed.

-- Ian

 

But then we'd be dissapointed if you didn't.

As mentioned above, there's a couple of MF DACs up for sale on the classifieds here. I use the 24k and am happy with it. It's not a jaw dropping mind blowing change, but over all the sound was improved in many ways which made things better all round. You'd be able to sell it on with no hassle. Ebay seems to be very keen on MF gear!

The other DACs you mention (the 64 and 32.4) are obviously in a higher budget, and I'd imagine offer better performance.