Starting Point Systems - DAC 3

[Fretless]

I will be giving all 3 DACs further listening but if anyone can tell me where I can find a DAC with all of the positives and none of the negatives of these 3 at a reasonable cost it would be most welcome

(Metrum Musette)

[jammy395]

YOU MOFO's wanna keep pretending all's well aboard the death-star.o

Darth-Vader-With-Funny-Pink-Dress.jpg (89.67 KiB) Viewed 3477 times

[Fretless]

We digital types just like to go on a bender. Now and again ...

But just wait till we sober up !!!!

[jammy395]

Fret you bitch...

The Cybermen would kick the Dalek's arse....
Read.
A project 1 TT would kick the Musette's DAC arse.....

[Fretless]

I've got a Pro-Ject Debut TT here, Jammy.

Better than an LP12 anyway ...

[jammy395]

FRET......luv ya.....

[wackyraces]

Just reviving this old thread - My very best sound in my system includes the Starting Point Systems DAC 3 into an NVA P50sa - superb open and encapsulating sound. The output on the SPS DAC 3 is lower than that of most other digital sources, so you would have thought it not to work well with a passive pre - but it blinking well does - it sounds outstanding in every way.

I bought the SPS DAC 3 a couple of years back but the full potential is properly realised via my NVA preamp.

This is my - at present - very musical system as it stands:

Auralic Aries Mini with optional Auralic dedicated PSU.
SPDIF connection to Starting Point DAC 3
Out via DNM interconnects to NVA P50sa - connected to a Croft 7 Power Amp.
Powering Role Audio Enterprise Loudspeakers <-- very revealing of change.

I was inspired to post this because firstly I must emphasis how excellent the SPS DAC 3 is - and how transparent and excellent the NVA P50sa is despite the lower the usual output from the DAC.

[Fretless]

Intriguing post. The DAC3 uses the 'old' TDA1543 chip - regarded widely as one of the most-musical-sounding DAC precessors ever made and that SPS unit is only about 450 pounds new on Ebay.



Inspires me to try swapping the modest Topping D30 I got recently into my main system for a listen.

[wackyraces]

I may be giving my SPS DAC 3 a big helping hand by using a high quality PSU as the power supply / charger.

I'm perhaps as much surprised as others may be but, it's also better (in the context of my system) than my Metrum Octave (I have various other DACs too but I like to use the Metrum as a yardstick).

I didn't get this DAC to make the noises like it does using different equipment beforehand so YMMV - it's perhaps the transparency of the NVA preamp which helped let that little DAC breathe properly.

Mind you the SPS does need a good running in - please bear that in mind too.

[George Hincapie]

Intriguing post. The DAC3 uses the 'old' TDA1543 chip - regarded widely as one of the most-musical-sounding DAC precessors ever made and that SPS unit is only about 450 pounds new on Ebay.



Inspires me to try swapping the modest Topping D30 I got recently into my main system for a listen.

Holy thread revival Batman!

That was a nice little DAC. But not as sexy as the one in my main system now