# DAC Upgrade. Need help **URL:** \ **Category:** Audio Components\ **Created:** [July 4, 2025, 6:23pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109 "2025-07-04T18:23:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dcaudioguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecc23a/32.png) [@dcaudioguy](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/dcaudioguy)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 6:23pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/1 "2025-07-04T18:23:07Z")
So… I’ve been using a PS Audio DAD Sr. MKI with upgraded output transformers as well as the JK power board with an external LPS. I love what I’m getting but I really want to step it up in terms of fidelity on the digital side. I’m in the beginning stages of considering an upgrade and would love your thoughts on what way to go. I have a few DACs listed below that I’m considering. Let me know your thoughts. Trying to keep it below $10k. 1. PS Audio DAD Sr. MKII 2. Holo Audio May DAC KTE 3. DCS Bartok (non-Apex) 4. PS Audio PMG DAC ---
**Author:** ![dawkinsj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@dawkinsj](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/dawkinsj)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 6:30pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/2 "2025-07-04T18:30:24Z")
If your interested in staying with a similar voicing to Ted’s DACs then look at the new Aqua La Scala Mk III from TMR. I own another Aqua model as well as the May KTE and they both have a similar voicing to your current DAC. The Bartok would not and no idea about the new PMG. ---
**Author:** ![dcaudioguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecc23a/32.png) [@dcaudioguy](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/dcaudioguy)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 6:48pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/3 "2025-07-04T18:48:32Z")
Thanks for the reply. I’ll take a look at TMR. ---
**Author:** ![carbonF1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/carbonf1/32/258233_2.png) [@carbonF1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/carbonF1)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 6:53pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/4 "2025-07-04T18:53:52Z")
Aside from I/O, supported sample rates, etc., each of those DACs you’ve listed have very different architectures. What is it about each of these DACs that has you interested in them? What does your music library look like - mostly PCM, DSD, both? Do you want onboard upsampling, or to do your own upsampling? Is 1-bit native DSD something you would be interested in? It’s hard to make a general recommendation as everyone will want to do something different. ---
**Author:** ![aangen](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/aangen/32/295709_2.png) [@aangen](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/aangen)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 7:38pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/5 "2025-07-04T19:38:27Z")
I have experience with the others. Only the PMG DAC would be my choice. The MK2 is history. The Holo I owned I only hated when I listened to music with it. Awful. DCS makes me want to get out of the listening chair and go clean the garage. Most non-interesting sound second only to the May. The PMG Streamer/DAC looks wicked to me. ---
**Author:** ![dcaudioguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecc23a/32.png) [@dcaudioguy](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/dcaudioguy)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 7:54pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/6 "2025-07-04T19:54:24Z")
Honestly I’m not that much into tech for all of those questions. In general I’m looking for something that sounds analog and has more detail than the MKI allows. I don’t really have a music library so it will be streaming via tidal and quboz. ---
**Author:** ![dcaudioguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecc23a/32.png) [@dcaudioguy](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/dcaudioguy)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 7:55pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/7 "2025-07-04T19:55:42Z")
Good to know. I wasn’t aware the MKII was history. I saw the video of the PMG and it looked very interesting. I’m in no rush so waiting until others have it in hand is fine with me. Thanks for your input. ---
**Author:** ![roninaudio](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/roninaudio/32/262996_2.png) [@roninaudio](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/roninaudio)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 8:12pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/8 "2025-07-04T20:12:25Z")
The Aqua is an excellent DAC as mentionedabove. .Probably my fav dac with the only other being a TT2 with mscaler (for entirely different reasons). The PMG is TBD. Waiting to hear that. In the meantime, a Mk1 is working out well. Can hardly go wrong with Aqua. I suspect PMG will do well also. ---
**Author:** ![vkennedy61](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/vkennedy61/32/41241_2.png) [@vkennedy61](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/vkennedy61)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 8:16pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/9 "2025-07-04T20:16:01Z")
If you are also a headphone listener, I suggest you get the Bartok w/headphone. It’s remarkably good. I had one for a while and really liked it. Very little color added. ---
**Author:** ![straightwire](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/straightwire/32/123306_2.png) [@straightwire](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/straightwire)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 8:52pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/10 "2025-07-04T20:52:35Z")
I chose #4, the PMG. Easy choice because no one has heard it. 😉 Wait if you can till some reporting comes in. Can’t wait? Add a couple dollars to your max and get a used Grimm MU2. Possibly the best value as you get great streaming and a decent preamp and only one cable and cord to get. ---
**Author:** ![aangen](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/aangen/32/295709_2.png) [@aangen](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/aangen)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/11 "2025-07-04T21:35:13Z")
The MU2 offers a Statement level Preamp, Server, Streamer, and DAC in one swell small box. One power cable and one pair of interconnects to the Amp(s). It has an excellent headphone amp in it as well. And it is so Engaging!!! A listen all night piece. ---
**Author:** ![dcaudioguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecc23a/32.png) [@dcaudioguy](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/dcaudioguy)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 10:30pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/12 "2025-07-04T22:30:59Z")
Thanks everyone! I’ve heard nothing but good things about the MU2. May have to look a bit more into a used one. ---
**Author:** ![ViperRGD](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/viperrgd/32/176965_2.png) [@ViperRGD](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/ViperRGD)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 10:31pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/13 "2025-07-04T22:31:39Z")
> [@straightwire](#): > > ….get a used Grimm MU2 What is this “used Grimm MU2” of which you speak? Sounds like the stuff of unicorns - very rarely spotted in the wild. In those rare cases where they are briefly sighted, they are known to disappear almost instantaneously. Owners of these MU2s are rumored to develop strong bonds with them based on the pleasure they bring and their all-in-one nature. As such, most are not inclined to part with them. Nonetheless, if the OP can bag a used MU2, it will truly be a trophy piece! ---
**Author:** ![magister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@magister](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/magister)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 10:34pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/14 "2025-07-04T22:34:57Z")
> [@dcaudioguy](#): > > I’m looking for something that sounds analog and has more detail than the MKI allows. In this case, I wouldn’t write off the DS SR Mk2 just yet. I upgraded from the Mk1 to the Mk2. I heard more detail and a slightly better sound stage and more accurate instrumental timbre, but the overall sound was slightly warm or analogue, like the Mk1. As the new PMG DACs become available, you will almost certainly be able to get a DS SR Mk2 at a good price. Note that I have not heard one of the upgraded Mk1s, which some people here claim are competitive with the Mk2. ---
**Author:** ![dchang05](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/dchang05/32/294697_2.png) [@dchang05](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/dchang05)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 10:43pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/15 "2025-07-04T22:43:09Z")
you got my SW-10 to pair with SW-6, and I think you will be happy with PMG DAC if you have something to trade in. MU2 is nice, but there is a 10% tariff you need to pay in addition plus a long wait now. Trump is not happy with Europe and by the time MU2 is shipped, there could be higher tariff. There was a group buy, but I am not sure if that is still valid now. ---
**Author:** ![vkennedy61](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/vkennedy61/32/41241_2.png) [@vkennedy61](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/vkennedy61)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/16 "2025-07-04T23:15:48Z")
> [@ViperRGD](#): > > Owners of these MU2s are rumored to develop strong bonds with them … Until the MU3 comes out. ---
**Author:** ![mitchb105](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@mitchb105](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/mitchb105)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2025, 8:10am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/17 "2025-07-05T08:10:42Z")
I also have the APS modded Mk1 but I am not itchy for a new dac. After appreciating the dac upgrade in stages I feel satisfied. ---
**Author:** ![akro](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/akro/32/177145_2.png) [@akro](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/akro)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2025, 9:52am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/18 "2025-07-05T09:52:41Z")
possible new hifi book, _Chasing Godot_ > **[Waiting for Godot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiting_for_Godot)** > > Waiting for Godot (/ˈɡɒdoʊ/ ⓘ GOD-oh or /ɡəˈdoʊ/ ⓘ gə-DOH) is a 1953 play by Irish writer and playwright Samuel Beckett, in which the two main characters, Vladimir (Didi) and Estragon (Gogo), engage in a variety of discussions and encounters while awaiting the titular Godot, who never arrives. Waiting for Godot is Beckett's reworking of his own original French-language play En attendant Godot, and is subtitled (in English only) "A tragicomedy in two acts." It is widely considered his finest Th... ---
**Author:** ![tony22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f04885/32.png) [@tony22](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/tony22)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2025, 11:59am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/19 "2025-07-05T11:59:53Z")
Maybe “Waiting for (the next) Grimmo”? 😁 😂 ---
**Author:** ![akro](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/akro/32/177145_2.png) [@akro](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/akro)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2025, 3:11pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109/20 "2025-07-05T15:11:53Z")
as a friend of mine noted on back cover of his unusual book, _I have soared_… ![41VSIxCU-AL.SY522](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/psaudio/original/4X/f/b/c/fbc1c7b6efb5291608113efd923b69283f96bd9d.jpeg) [Next page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/dac-upgrade-need-help/42109.md?page=2)