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Which DAC would you recommend?

Black_Rabbit

Black_Rabbit

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Feb 19, 2026
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My main system consists of Wilson Audio Watt Puppy 5.1 speaker system, Mark Levinson 26SL preamplifier, and 20.6L power amplifiers. I used to use a Wadia Digital 2000 DAC and a WT 2000 CD transport, but it is a very old system. It seems the music environment has changed a lot since then. I haven't listened to music for a while, either. Since network streaming seems to be the trend these days, I would like receive recommendations for a suitable DAC to connect to my Mac Mini. When I inquired at ChaptGPT, I was recommended the Holo Audio May KTE and the Denafrips Pontus 15th. I also looked up reviews on ASR, but the overall evaluation of R2R DACs doesn't seem very good. I mainly enjoy listening to classical, jazz, and vocal music. I would appreciate it if you could recommend a different DAC. My budget is under $3,000.
 
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Black_Rabbit said:
My main system consists of Wilson Audio's Watt Puppy 5.1, driven by a Mark Levinson 26SL preamp and 20.6L Power amps. I used to listen to music using a Wadia Digital 2000 with a WT 2000 CD transport, but that is a very old system. It seems the music environment has changed a lot since then. I also haven't listened to music for a long time. Since network streaming seems to be the trend these days, I would like receive recommendations for a suitable DAC to connect to my Mac Mini. I initially inquired at ChaptGPT, where they recommended the Holo Audio May KTE and Denafrips Pontus 15th. I came to ASR to look at some reviews, but the general opinion regarding R2R DACs doesn't seem very good. Also, I don't have much trust in Chinese-made products. I mainly enjoy listening to classical music, jazz, and vocals. Please recommend a different DAC. My budget is under $3,000.
Click to expand...
Benchmark comes to mind. RME too
 
Audio Science Review uses the English language in its forums. Please translate messages to English before posting.

EDIT

Assembled in Germany DAC's from RME have measured well at ASR.

RME just released a new version of a popular DAC/Headphone Amp/Preamp

www.audiosciencereview.com

New RME ADI-2 Pro EX AD/DA audio interface

Link : https://rme-audio.de/converter/adi-2-pro-ex.html
www.audiosciencereview.com www.audiosciencereview.com
 
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Power Pop 23 said:
RME just released a new version of a popular DAC/Headphone Amp/Preamp
www.audiosciencereview.com

New RME ADI-2 Pro EX AD/DA audio interface

Link : https://rme-audio.de/converter/adi-2-pro-ex.html
www.audiosciencereview.com www.audiosciencereview.com
Click to expand...
This is why @Roland68 has asked the moderator @RickS to change the title of that other thread. That thread is NOT about the RME DAC; but rather the ADC/DAC device.

That thread is related to the recently released ADI-2 Pro EX (RME's replacement for the discontinued ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition). That device is a robust interface converter that includes analog to digital and digital to analog.

That device is phenomenal, but it should not be confused the equally phenomenal (and recently discontinued) ADI-2 DAC FS. And as of now, we are still waiting for RME to announce and release the replacement ADI-2 DAC EX. Some info has leaked, and RME has stated that it is coming... but it is not here yet.
 
Black_Rabbit said:
My main system consists of Wilson Audio Watt Puppy 5.1 speaker system, Mark Levinson 26SL preamplifier, and 20.6L power amplifiers.
Click to expand...
So, what takes care of the 5.1? All of these active components are stereo only. Do you have an AVR/AVP? If so, just use that.
 
voodooless said:
So, what takes care of the 5.1? All of these active components are stereo only. Do you have an AVR/AVP? If so, just use that.
Click to expand...
I think the speaker is called 5.1 if I am not mistaken
 
I have RME but Minidsp looks a very powerful piece of kit.

www.audiosciencereview.com

Minidsp Flex Review (Audio DSP)

This is a review and detailed measurement of the Minidsp Flex audio signal processor. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $475 for unbalanced and $550 for balanced that I tested. Flex borrows the interface from SHD and puts it in a compact package. Seeing how I really liked that...
www.audiosciencereview.com www.audiosciencereview.com

miniDSP Flex

Pocket size processor with flexible Input/Output configuration, Audiophile converters, 400MHz Sharc DSP processor, BT connectivity, DSP toolbox for subwoofer and multiway crossover, Dirac Live optional upgrade
www.minidsp.com www.minidsp.com
 
Someone is recommending Schiit Audio’s Yggdrasil Sigular. What do you think? Since everything inside was independently developed, I’m very interested. I’m using the company’s Schiit Audio Modi5 in my secondary system, and I’m extremely satisfied with it.
 
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On subjective forums contributors often recommend a component they have purchased, irrespective of its actual objective performance.
Keith
 
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Purité Audio said:
On subjective forums contributors often recommend a component they have purchased, independent of its actual objective performance.
Keith
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Ha Ha Ha! It’s an answer to a foolish question. The evaluation at ASR isn’t very favorable
 
Start by considering the features you want, as well as the types of inputs and outputs you need. Then, look into the options or ask for recommendations. :)
You mentioned that things have changed in the hifi- industry—and that’s true; streaming, for instance.

If you’re looking for a standalone unit—a combination of streamer and DAC—the WiiM Pro Plus is a great option, provided its features suit your needs. You could also buy a UMIK-1 measurement microphone to run frequency sweeps with the WiiM; using the WiiM RoomFit feature (easy to use, plug and play).
With that feature WiiM can automatically calibrate and tailor a EQ/ frequency response to suit your specific room. You’ll even have money left in your budget ($2600)—perhaps for better speakers (which, combined with EQ and acoustic treatment in your room, would make a big difference).
But, your current 5.1 speakers might already be top-notch—I wouldn't know, as I’ve never heard of that specific model.:)
 
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DanielT said:
Start by considering the features you want, as well as the types of inputs and outputs you need. Then, look into the options or ask for recommendations. :)
You mentioned that things have changed in the hifi- industry—and that’s true; streaming, for instance.

If you’re looking for a standalone unit—a combination of streamer and DAC—the WiiM Pro Plus is a great option, provided its features suit your needs. You could also buy a UMIK-1 measurement microphone to run frequency sweeps with the WiiM; using the WiiM RoomFit feature. With that feature WiiM can automatically calibrate abd tailor a EQ/ frequency response to suit your specific room. You’ll even have money left in your budget ($2600)—perhaps for better speakers (which, combined with EQ and acoustic treatment, would make a big difference).
But, your current 5.1 speakers might already be top-notch—I wouldn't know, as I’ve never heard of that specific model.:)
Click to expand...
Thank you for your words.
 
DACs are pretty much solved problems - the easy way to tell this is the wave of woo-woo being created around them to justify silly prices for boutique gear, for which there is no audible difference, or often, no better measurements.
Stick to features, if required, or buy 5 sensibly-priced DACs and keep the one with prettiest case, which will definitely sound better on a non-blind test, and sell the 4 leftover ones
 
Black_Rabbit said:
Thank you for your words.
Click to expand...
Note that I use WiiM myself and like the product, so my comment might be slightly biased. However, Amir has tested various WiiM products, and they have—objectively—proven to perform well.:)

In any case, there are plenty of good DACs and streamers from other manufacturers as well. Virtually all of them—regardless of price—that Amir has tested here on ASR are transparent in terms of sound. So, from an audio perspective, the DAC issue is effectively solved. That leaves only features—and possibly aesthetics or size—if those aspects matter to you.:)

.... Spend money on high-quality speakers instead...;):)
 
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