Im currently looking at Dacs and was wondering what you guys are using, if anything.
The Primaluna Evo 100 gets phenomenal reviews but not much customer feedback. Anyone here have any experience with this model?
Any benefits using a tube dac versus a solid state?
Thanks in advance

What Donnie says. How much are you looking to spend? Any Denafrips would be a great choice at it's price point.

Thanks for the replies guys. The Denafrips has come up quite often in the forums as a good candidate. Would like to keep it below $3500.

Also, I have some brightness on the high end which I was hoping the dac I choose could address. I have Zu Soul Supreme speakers which can accentuate the problem. Going to try Mullard imput and output tubes, replacing the Electro Harmonix el34’s.

Short answer is:

https://www.vinshineaudio.com/product-page/denafrips-gaia?currency=USD

Longer answer is it is a "digital to digital converter." It takes your digital input on USB, AES/EBU, coax etc, re-clocks it with a magical high precision clock and (if you have a Denafrips or a few other lucky DACs) outputs it on I2S over HDMI. That's a lot of capital letters but basically it cleans up the digital signal and outputs to the DAC in the best way possible for optimal conversion.

FWIW one of reasons I spent the extra $$$ for a Terminator 2 is that it allows you to sync the DAC clock with the DDC clock, which is another optimization.

Have to agree with Joey on the Spring 3!

I dont think you can go wrong with either Denafrips or Holo May.  For customer service and response, Alvin from Denafrips is head and shoulders above Holo May Kitsune.
Bob

I was pretty focused on the Pontus ii and thought it might be the one to go with. But, the Holo Spring 3 level 2 looks pretty sweet. I know I can’t go wrong with either but am trying to read a review that may mention making the system less bright. I think the Pontus is warmer, which to my novice brain thinks less bright. The Spring 3 seems to have greater clarity on the high end. Does greater clarity mean less bright?

CAJames. Would a tube change address brightness? I’ve read that the Mullards have less “sparkle” or “chiminess” at the high end.

I have a Pontus 2, and it's fantastic. The British Audiophile compared the pontus 2 to the Spring 3 KTE and he claimed that they were very close in sound, but that the spring 3 had a more neutral sound, and the pontus had a richer/warmer sound. That review pushed me to try out the pontus, as I was saving up for spring 3... But I'm already coming from an Auralic DAC that's very neutral, and I kept wishing it was a little warmer.

The pontus was cheaper so, I thought it was the smarter choice to try first. I can't imagine anyone not being happy with this sound, it's really good. I have a se84UFO driving Omega super 8xrs.

If you're not afraid of used gear the PSAudio directstream DAC is a bargain. There seems to be a few on audiogon that could  probably be had for under  the mid two thousand dollar mark.  This is a six thousand dollar DAC that the software was updated about a year and a half ago..  This DAC is in the same class as the Lampizator Baltic. Or the Denifrips Terminator..  You can ever tweak it further with a transformer update and being used you don't have to worry about voiding the warranty
I just got one and it sounds very real.

Thanks for sharing Aidionumber3. I’ve read excellent reviews about both models. Right now the Pontus is the same price as the Spring 3 Level 2. What amp/pre amp are you running the dac through?

Thanks Dana 😀. Another avenue I will explore today.

Earthbound.....like I said, I'm using a Decware se84UFO, no preamp. The best part about getting the pontus is if you don't like it, you can sell it for almost new price.

Good to know Audionumber3 regarding resale. I want to avoid such a scenario but if it comes to that, it’s a nice option. Keep hearing warm regarding the Pontus and that may help my ears a bit. Coming from an old Rotel and B&W set up, this new equipment is so revealing. It may be that I’m listening to music much longer and louder then prior. But, softer may be easier on the ears in the fatigue department.

Very interesting regarding the ModWright. I spoke with Dan, the owner, and he was very informative. Seems like a potentially viable option. Going to see what users have to say.

Thanks Tommy. Found it and am reading now.

I was wondering that very thing! I believe I can ask Steve to put xlr’s in the preamp. Does anyone know if this is correct? I think I recall that possibility when I spoke with Steve

My impression is same as Lon FWIW. And in fact just a couple weeks ago I had a discussion with another poster who originally got XLR inputs on his amp but now wants to add a CSP3 and it is a problem because it doesn't work with his balanced source. Which is just another way of saying I think you are better off with a ZBIT than with XLR connections built into a component.

Thanks guys. Will talk to Dan and probably add another order to my ever growing Decware order! Good fun

Damn it HK, looks like that 20% off CXNv2 mod was over July 1st!

JBzen,

Give Dan a call and see if he'll extend you a courtesy. He's a great guy and just may give you the discount.

HK

Yup, a pair of these and you'll be in sonic nirvana.

https://www.wathenspeakers.com/store/p4/ECC83-WC.html

HK