PrimaLuna EVO 100

$3395

With candy, correct midrange sonics and durable development that ought to final a very long time, this mid-priced tube DAC has a stout tube-rectified energy provide for every channel. While that’s uncommon for a DAC, it assures dynamic vary shall be broad and dynamic shifts lightning quick. Perhaps the EVO 100 is lacking the very deepest lows and highest highs, however there’s not a lot else to quibble about. VF, 300

Bryston BDA-3.14

$4195

The purpose of the BDA-3.14 was easy in idea, however more difficult in observe—so as to add a streaming operate to the BDA-3 platform whereas retaining the identical excessive sound high quality because the BDA-3. Reviewer Steven Stone thinks Bryston’s efforts have been profitable. The DAC part for the BDA-3.14 is constructed round a pair of AK4490 chips, similar to that of the BDA-3. Instead of constructing a server from scratch Bryston started with a Raspberry Pi 3 minicomputer as its Internet gateway machine. Why a Pi? Because it really works reliably and has glorious and persevering with assist from Pi. In brief, the BDA-3.14 is a first-class part that might be the middle of any high-performance digital audio system. SS, 309

Denafrips Terminator II

$4900

Denafrips is finest recognized for its personal line of R-2R DACs, by which the Terminator at the moment sits second from the highest, eclipsed solely by the Terminator Plus. The Terminator handles PCM as much as a sampling frequency of 384kHz, and DSD as much as 11.2MHz (DSD256) in native mode. Both RCA and balanced XLR analog outputs are supplied. The analog voltage sign is output straight with no buffer or acquire stage, which places the accountability on the matching preamp to supply ample acquire and drive sign. Sonically, anticipate a tonally impartial and dynamic presentation. A real reference and at the moment DO’s favourite DAC. DO, 316

Lampizator Baltic 3

$5975

This ultra-tweaky tube based mostly DAC from Poland options tubes within the audio circuit in addition to within the energy provide. The Baltic 3’s copy of timbre is exemplary, each with respect to accuracy and determination of refined harmonics. While it’s notably robust at imaging and soundstaging and at resolving, layering, and spatially defining complicated musical displays (e.g. symphonies, bands, or complicated recordings), it’s simply as beguiling on recordings with minimal devices or solo vocals. Reproduction throughout the frequency vary is deep, broad, and full, from string bass or bass drums within the decrease octaves to the extension and shimmer of cymbals and bells within the higher registers. While all these attributes are correct in describing the Baltic 3, for a possible buyer I believe it’s extra significant to say that it creates such immersive, beguiling, and interesting experiences. SSc, 323

PS Audio DirectStream

$5999 ($6899 with Bridge II)

Sometimes it’s good to start out over from scratch when designing a brand new part. That’s what designer Ted Smith did—he began from the premise that DSD recordings sound good and constructed a DAC round that premise. PS Audio’s Paul McGowan heard a prototype, liked it, and agreed to construct it. VF thought it was simply the most effective digital sound he’d heard, however the DAC wants heaps—in all probability 500 hours—of break-in. VF, 245

Chord Hugo TT2/M Scaler

$6725/$5650

The Hugo TT employs a proprietary and complicated “long-tap” digital filter that reportedly leads to waveforms from standard-resolution sources as correct as these of hi-res ones. The DAC part can also be customized and helps PCM as much as 768kHz and as much as DSD512. The Hugo TT sounds very good by itself, however the efficiency is taken up a number of notches with the addition of the Hugo M scaler, which upsamples all incoming indicators to 768kHz with an FPGA. The outcome really represents a brand new means ahead in digital audio—one the place customary 16/44 materials in each means sounds nearly as good as (or higher than) even the highest-resolution recordsdata. A technical and musical triumph. CM, 295

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