Dac as good as the arcam d33???

[Chr78]

Hi guys.

First posted in dac section, not much traffick there.

Just bought the arcam a 29 for my kef ls50, really nice match. I borrowed the amp from the store before i bought, and the guy from the store gave me the arcam d33 dac for the amp. It sounded really good, then i returned the d33 and bought a used irdac. The d33, sounded much better than the irdac, much more clarity and air and the stereo imaging was perfect with the d33.

The irdac is good, but not like the d33. The d33 is expensive and large/clumsy. Can you guys recommend something better and soundvise alike the arcam d33, but a bit cheaper and smaller in size? 700 to 1200 pounds maybe, used or new.

Thanks guys..

 

[Deleted member 116933]

Hi guys.

First posted in dac section, not much traffick there.

Just bought the arcam a 29 for my kef ls50, really nice match. I borrowed the amp from the store before i bought, and the guy from the store gave me the arcam d33 dac for the amp. It sounded really good, then i returned the d33 and bought a used irdac. The d33, sounded much better than the irdac, much more clarity and air and the stereo imaging was perfect with the d33.

The irdac is good, but not like the d33. The d33 is expensive and large/clumsy. Can you guys recommend something better and soundvise alike the arcam d33, but a bit cheaper and smaller in size? 700 to 1200 pounds maybe, used or new.

Thanks guys..

Naim dac V1 maybe also has the added benifit of being a headphone amp and pre amp later on down the road or if you prefer a streamer/dac the naim ND5 XS which are on ebay for around 1300 or so quite often.

Then you have the audiolabs Mdac and they also have a higher end/priced one coming out to replace/run along side the Mdac. Not really to sure when thats out though

then you have Chord Electronics Qute EX DAC but never heard them so not very familiar with them.

those would what be my choices but it depends on what you like and how you listen.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100004211376004]

There is some d33's well within your budget on the well known auction site.

 

[MickyBlue]

my advise would be a chord hugo or 2qute depending on the funcionality you require, you could easliy pick up a hugo on ebay for 1k or slightly less.

 

[SteveR750]

my advise would be a chord hugo or 2qute depending on the funcionality you require, you could easliy pick up a hugo on ebay for 1k or slightly less.

+1

Or a cambride audio dacmagic plus - to my ears was as good as the Qute (never heard Hugo) which was easily the best sounding DAC under £500-£600 I auditioned. Google the ken rockwell review. It's all you need as a DAC, but the headphone amp is not great.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_100004211376004]

I'm afraid I don't take to his idealistic ways of his reviews in photography terms and I'm pretty sure his philosophy will carry on into his wisdom of the audio world . he's a di#$k

 

[Superaintit]

In your situation I'd buy the Arcam dac d33 second hand or from demo.

If you go for another first demo at home or at the shop with your exact setup. You will never know how it turns out until you try; as you found out with the Irdac...

 

[Chr78]

You are probably right about the d33, but people say the chord hugo is better? Any thoughts on that? And do you know if the chord has normal usb connectivity? or is it mini usb?

 

[CnoEvil]

In your situation I'd buy the Arcam dac d33 second hand or from demo.

So would I.
If you have heard a piece of kit that you really like, but then compromise with something else, you usually chase your tail before ending up buying it anyway, having spent more money than you need to.

I know Arcam were very proud of that DAC and from the reviews I've read, rightly so.