tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Nov 8, 2013 9:22:50 GMT -5
Anyone get an ear on that Cary Exciter dac ? I've heard good things about it and it's priced right. I know the 100t is the gorilla in the lineup of Cary dacs, but looking at something more down to earth in price. Other contenders could be the PS Audio Nu-wave, also nothing but great reviews.
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Post by zltful on Nov 12, 2013 15:03:12 GMT -5
My buddy's shop carries the PS Audio NuWave and color me impressed. I am completely content with my Peachtree DACiT but side by side, the NuWave does a pretty good job of crushing the Peachtree.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Nov 12, 2013 15:55:40 GMT -5
Can you expand on that a tad more pal ? What exactly is it you liked about the Nu-wave ?
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Post by zltful on Nov 12, 2013 16:36:35 GMT -5
Comparatively, the NuWave sounded "fuller" than the DACiT. That isn't to say the DACiT is bad, because it isn't. A fine all around DAC. But the NuWave takes it up a notch. I may be biased because I favor the Burr Brown DAC in my CDP (Pioneer Elite DV-47A) over running the digital outputs through my DACiT but to me, the CDs sound better than the FLAC ripped from the same disc.
And with the NuWave selling for $795, it isn't that much of a stretch for what I feel is a better overall sounding DAC.
Listen to me...trying to sell me out of my current DAC. Hehe.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Nov 12, 2013 16:46:46 GMT -5
Thanks for the input.
Btw, you weren't expecting us to not spend your money over here were ya ?
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Ender
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Post by Ender on Nov 12, 2013 20:26:13 GMT -5
Comparatively, the NuWave sounded "fuller" than the DACiT. That isn't to say the DACiT is bad, because it isn't. A fine all around DAC. But the NuWave takes it up a notch. I may be biased because I favor the Burr Brown DAC in my CDP (Pioneer Elite DV-47A) over running the digital outputs through my DACiT but to me, the CDs sound better than the FLAC ripped from the same disc. And with the NuWave selling for $795, it isn't that much of a stretch for what I feel is a better overall sounding DAC. Listen to me...trying to sell me out of my current DAC. Hehe. Ryan, you'll never get rid of the bug.. And if you want, I could always talk you out of your current DAC instead hehehe P.S. did you notice the Motorcycle section yet... thought you might have something to post there or something
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Post by agentorange on Nov 17, 2013 20:50:05 GMT -5
I bet the Cary Exciter is a good DAC. I have an excellent analog system but mostly play digital. I believe the DAC is the weak link in the audio chain for most. Put your $$ there. DACS have improved relentlessness in the past couple years. Prices have dropped and the market is flooded with yesterday's DACs. What was $1000 in 2010 is $300 now. Those can be a deal. If it sounded good in 2010, it sounds good today. for $250 bucks you can get this - www.amazon.com/Musical-Fidelity-MFVDAC2-V-DAC-MKII/dp/B001P6FO5EIf you are high end, look at Benchmark.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Nov 18, 2013 10:45:22 GMT -5
Benchmark and the V-dac....eh, not my cup of tea but to each his own.
While dacs sure play an important part, it all starts at the source as they say, then moves on to "Everything matters" As far as where to sink the majority of the coin in a system, I'd say speakers and source. Everything else while important too is secondary.
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Post by agentorange on Nov 23, 2013 20:42:58 GMT -5
Benchmark and the V-dac....eh, not my cup of tea but to each his own. While dacs sure play an important part, it all starts at the source as they say, then moves on to "Everything matters" As far as where to sink the majority of the coin in a system, I'd say speakers and source. Everything else while important too is secondary. What is your experience with those? I am a "speaker" guy. Once you find speakers that move you, look to details in gear, even wires if you have the time and desire for a better sound. It is the hobby/fun of playing some dollar tune. For most things it will be slight, but I disagree as to DAC. My experience is that once you nail down a system you like, upgrade the DAC first if you play digital. Visit me, we can go from on board digital from CD players, computers, etc and then put in the Benchmark DAC. The difference may not be worth the $$ to many, but the improvement is obvious. It is an improvement, not just a change like some high $$ wires/amps/etc give you.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Nov 24, 2013 12:08:18 GMT -5
When playing digital, obviously a separate dac is the way to go, not disputing that. However a lot of people don't listen to computer music and still spin CD's, Sacd's, which a separate dac may or may not be needed.
Regardless, we both agree that separates, be it a dac, amp, pre amp, have real audible differences over a receiver which is an all in one compromise.
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Post by agentorange on Nov 26, 2013 18:43:03 GMT -5
Many components have a digital out. Most times it is better to keep the component you like and buy an external DAC for it. This is a better upgrade for the $$ most times as even components just a couple years old tend to have crap DACs but are excellent in other ways.
DACs are not just about computer tunes.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Nov 30, 2013 10:28:49 GMT -5
Comparatively, the NuWave sounded "fuller" than the DACiT. That isn't to say the DACiT is bad, because it isn't. A fine all around DAC. But the NuWave takes it up a notch. I may be biased because I favor the Burr Brown DAC in my CDP (Pioneer Elite DV-47A) over running the digital outputs through my DACiT but to me, the CDs sound better than the FLAC ripped from the same disc. And with the NuWave selling for $795, it isn't that much of a stretch for what I feel is a better overall sounding DAC. Listen to me...trying to sell me out of my current DAC. Hehe. Funny you should mention the burr browns in your Pioneer. I too like the burr browns in my Pioneer AVI59 over the wolfsen's in my receiver. But I hardly spin cd's anymore, if the Pioneer had digital inputs, I could be happy for along time.
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Post by trav0810 on Dec 5, 2013 12:29:20 GMT -5
I need to buy a DAC, but at `Christmas time, I am on the ultra-limited budget...so it will probably wait until the new year.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Mar 5, 2014 13:05:48 GMT -5
Anyone get a line on a Cary xciter dac, drop me line will ya. They seem to go fast on the used market at between 5-600 bones. Which isn't bad for a 1500 buck dac.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Mar 10, 2014 11:12:35 GMT -5
Jesus man, I've been looking all over, every conceivable site....even in Europe. It's like these xciter dacs just disappeared. I think Cary goofed, they intended for this dac to be a desktop solution but made it well enough to be used in a main rig....competing with their sales of totl dacs and cdp's. Many said the xciter sounds as good as their cdp's, that's encouraging since I love the sound of their cdp's.
Just have to wait it out and jump when one comes up. Tell me guys asap if you see one....
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Apr 26, 2014 7:18:01 GMT -5
Just thought I'd update....got that Cary Xciter dac and couldn't be happier with the sound. Excellent separation, tone, bass slam, highs, all around a very good dac. Put the Audio-gd NFB3 to shame. As it probably should too considering retail between the 2. Also weighs a ton, took me by surprise taking it out of the box. If your looking for quality on the cheap, grab one of these off the used market. 5-6 bones...you'd be hard pressed to do better. Classic Cary sound for not a lot of coin...which is probably why they stopped making them.
This baby also turned a good cdp in the Pioneer AVI59 into a rock star. Doubt this will ever leave my home, winning the LOTTO aside. Best suited for systems that could stand a touch of added warmth. Those already too warm may not be a good match. Like I said, classic Cary sound so take that for what it's worth.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on May 21, 2014 4:22:44 GMT -5
Now that the newness has worn off....I still dig this fucking dac guys. LOL
6 bones...and worth every penny. You'd be hard pressed to do better.
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tonyb
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Post by tonyb on Aug 30, 2014 9:28:23 GMT -5
With the addition of the MIT S3 ic's, this Dac really shines even more. Closer to vinyl than I thought possible....AND my source is still the modified Sonos,with a mid line receiver at the other end. Good sound can be had at any level kids. Can't imagine what a good pre would do to this.
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