Got SB Duet, now what dac?

[etcarroll]

Took a week, but got my Duet working once I installed a linear power supply on the receiver.

I'm loving this piece of gear!  

Now for a dac, I heard Levy's EE at the dac shootout at Thumanns, of the 5 or so dacs I heard that day it was my fav, but at $800 it may be a stretch for me, especially as in middle of divorce proceedings.

I tried the $199 Mav 1 with a Raytheon Windmill Getter tube, that sounded nice, (till I heard the damn EE).

Anyway, the Duet plays into a 20 year old Superphon SP-100 pre that Stan Warren upgraded, and from there into a 30 year old 4B amp that Bryston recapped a few months back.

Listening to it all, rock, jazz and now - classical.

Oh, and Onix reference 3 speakers with Skiing Ninja Master upgraded xovers including platinum bypass caps.

What do folks think I could do for a dac here?

[evan1]

Took a week, but got my Duet working once I installed a linear power supply on the receiver.

I'm loving this piece of gear! 

Now for a dac, I heard Levy's EE at the dac shootout at Thumanns, of the 5 or so dacs I heard that day it was my fav, but at $800 it may be a stretch for me, especially as in middle of divorce proceedings.

I tried the $199 Mav 1 with a Raytheon Windmill Getter tube, that sounded nice, (till I heard the damn EE).

Anyway, the Duet plays into a 20 year old Superphon SP-100 pre that Stan Warren upgraded, and from there into a 30 year old 4B amp that Bryston recapped a few months back.

Listening to it all, rock, jazz and now - classical.

Oh, and Onix reference 3 speakers with Skiing Ninja Master upgraded xovers including platinum bypass caps.

What do folks think I could do for a dac here?

Go with what you can afford now and sell it later to upgrade.So far the best DAC I heard was from Neko Audio. I'm sure Rollo can chime in since I think he bought one ? I know he demoed it also. But it is out of your price range right now. Sell some horses .

[etcarroll]

Thanks Evan, unfortunately my horses are swaybacked, not commanding top dollar. 

Guy has a used Mav 1 for $150 on AC, I may go that route as an interim measure.

[JLM]

Bolder Cables does mods to all the Logitech players.

[rollo]

 The Neko is a VG DAC. Not hyped up , too detailed or hi fi sounding. I have a Promitheus DAC you can borrow if ya like. Actually perferred it to the Neko. It is transformer coupled but NO USB port. Then again your existing transport and the Promitheus may outperform the SB.
   Feel free to borrow it anytime.


charles

[etcarroll]

Thanks Charles, but I've put this on the backburner for now. I've had over a dozen 12au7 tubes show up this week, (with more on the way), for my pre which I don't even have yet.

Then I have to address my vinyl playback, per Eleazar, it stinks. I've been eyeing the Jasmine phono pre, and there's an Art Audio Reference at half price on Agon............. gack! Stop me.

[manaox2]

The Neko DAC is at the top of my wanted list. They also have a loaner program and thirty day trial. I'd be interested on others thoughts compared to the prometheus which I haven't heard of.