DAC Advice

[gitbags]

I'm currently thinking of picking up a new dac for my squeezebox and cd player. I'm currently between the Rega dac and the Audiolab m-dac. Getting a demo of the rega won't be an issue but the audiolab is a different matter. (I know a dealer who deals with them but has fallen out with the suppliers because he can't shift the quad stuff they've given him. So they won't loan a demo unit. )

I'm sure someone on here owns the m-dac, I remember the post in one of the purchase threads, but can't remember who. I was hoping that any owners or those who have tried it could give an honest opinion on it. Or if any one has any other suggestions for dacs up to £700 I'm all ears

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

I've heard a variety of DACs, eg. older MF, Bel Canto, ARC, Chord DAC64, Beresford, N OS DACs, Meridian 203 etc. Haven't heard the latest "and greatest", but I'd be surprised if they're dramatically better than the older stuff.

My opinion now is twofold:
1. Source is critical, but not only needs to be good, also needs to be synergistic with the rest of your kit. As an example, the Benchmark DAC1 and Beresford DACs are both really DRY in presentation. Fine if you have a lush amp/speaker combo as it can bring out the details, but can be REALLY tiring with the wrong system. So it's NOT a question of what is best, as against what will WORK with your system.
2. The "latest and greatest" are usually just overhyped kit that is often only minorly different to older gear. S/h gear is where the bargains exist, then it's just a question of picking out what is best for you. My own opinion on that is that the best VFM sits with the really good AV processors. eg. my Meridian unit was £3-4K when new, but you can buy a 568.1 for £400 now. Ignore the AV capabilities and it is still a VERY good DAC/stereo pre-amp, including upsampling, 24/96 compatibility for your front speakers and balanced connection. More to the point, having been through a variety of DACs and listened to many others, I'd put it on par with probably a £2k stereo DAC.

Hope that helps.

 

[gitbags]

Thanks for the reply Mr_Sukebe. I would love to try the second hand route, but unfortunately living in the deepest darkest part of cornwall second hand gear is hard to come by and when it does appear if its a decent bit of kit it can cost over the odds and gets picked up quite sharpish. (Don't use ebay after I got stung on a pair of speakers).

Overall I'd say my system was of a fairly aggressive sounding nature, not necessarily bright to my ears but quite forward sounding due to my naim 122x/150x pre/power combo. The reason I was looking at the rega is due to my ownership of an apollo cd player and love how it sounds in my system. The m-dac on the other hand is more due to features (mainly the headphone out) but I have read it can be fairly clinical so may make my system overbearingly bright, so I was hoping that anyone who has at least demoed one could give me their take on its sound, as otherwise my only chance to try it is to buy one and hope the dealer will take it off my hands should it not sit right with the rest of my setup.

 

[Nick1881]

I have heard the M-Dac and wouldn't describe it as bright or harsh at all, I found it very natural sounding with nice warm bass. I didn't buy it as I couldn't justify the price for so many features I wouldn't use. In the end I bought a JKDAC32, very similar sounding to the M-Dac without all the bells and whistles.

 

[Ste]

Hi,

Do you have audio sync problems with the JK? I was thinkin about getting one but thought that would cause me a problem so got the MDac instead. Incidentally a pretty awesome piece of kit - the preamp is really good which I wasn't expecting. My 8000Q is no more!

The MDac isn't harsh with the right kit, very warm and natural sounding with very tight bass. Great buy! I've had a lot of audiolab amps (A S P Q MX) and the MDac strays a fair way from the traditional audiolab (marmite!) sound.

 

[gitbags]

Thanks for the opinions so far. Doesn't look like I'll be getting the chance to try the mdac any how. May try my luck with long distance selling laws . Managed to sort out a demo of the rega next week, as well as a nap200 amp

Had a look into the jkdac, looks like a nice piece of kit but unfortunately not suitable for my needs.