Border Patrol DAC ?
Border Patrol DAC ?
Has anyone had in-home experience with this component? They’re purported to lean "analog-sounding.”
Thanks.
P
Thanks.
P
Re: Border Patrol DAC ?
I moved this topic to non-CJ audio subforum as requested
I have not heard of this brand before. They look cool and I went to their webpage to do some research. I would not recommend buying it. Not because the sound may not be good (I would not say that about any audio equipment I have not listened to). But rather one simple reason. The DAC only supports up to 24b/96khz audio. This is a major practical limiting factor as most high quality audio streaming services now have 24b/192khz audio tracks. You would be essentially locking yourself out of the best quality audio from streaming.
I suppose if you are going to only use this for audio from a CD player, then it wouldn't matter. But I presume that anybody these days that buys a DAC is going to utilize a streaming service to some extent.
Just my two cents on the matter.
I have not heard of this brand before. They look cool and I went to their webpage to do some research. I would not recommend buying it. Not because the sound may not be good (I would not say that about any audio equipment I have not listened to). But rather one simple reason. The DAC only supports up to 24b/96khz audio. This is a major practical limiting factor as most high quality audio streaming services now have 24b/192khz audio tracks. You would be essentially locking yourself out of the best quality audio from streaming.
I suppose if you are going to only use this for audio from a CD player, then it wouldn't matter. But I presume that anybody these days that buys a DAC is going to utilize a streaming service to some extent.
Just my two cents on the matter.
-admin
Home Theater in Member Gallery
Main stereo: ART Amplifier and ET7s2. 2nd stereo: PV-14L and MV-55. Previously Owned: PF2 preamp, Evolution 2000 Amp, PV-12AL preamp, D/A-2b Vacuum-Tube Digital Processor.
Home Theater in Member Gallery
Main stereo: ART Amplifier and ET7s2. 2nd stereo: PV-14L and MV-55. Previously Owned: PF2 preamp, Evolution 2000 Amp, PV-12AL preamp, D/A-2b Vacuum-Tube Digital Processor.
Re: Border Patrol DAC ?
Dear Mr. Admin,
Thanks for moving the topic to the proper subforum and thanks for taking the time to do some research on the Border Patrol DAC. I'm going to continue my research. That the BP DAC does not support higher rez audio may not be of any practical value to me, even though most of my music listening is indeed streaming. Qobuz/Roon.
Thanks for moving the topic to the proper subforum and thanks for taking the time to do some research on the Border Patrol DAC. I'm going to continue my research. That the BP DAC does not support higher rez audio may not be of any practical value to me, even though most of my music listening is indeed streaming. Qobuz/Roon.
Re: Border Patrol DAC ?
I'm not sure if you were aware, forgive me if you were, but qobuz certainly does support higher resolution streaming content (up to 24b/192khz). So if you want to enjoy the best quality audio that qobuz has to offer, I think getting a DAC that supports at least 24b/192khz would be pretty high on my list of features. That's just my opinion.
Are you looking exclusively at tube based DACs? Is there a price range you are considering? We may be able to make some recommendations.
Are you looking exclusively at tube based DACs? Is there a price range you are considering? We may be able to make some recommendations.
-admin
Home Theater in Member Gallery
Main stereo: ART Amplifier and ET7s2. 2nd stereo: PV-14L and MV-55. Previously Owned: PF2 preamp, Evolution 2000 Amp, PV-12AL preamp, D/A-2b Vacuum-Tube Digital Processor.
Home Theater in Member Gallery
Main stereo: ART Amplifier and ET7s2. 2nd stereo: PV-14L and MV-55. Previously Owned: PF2 preamp, Evolution 2000 Amp, PV-12AL preamp, D/A-2b Vacuum-Tube Digital Processor.
Re: Border Patrol DAC ?
For streaming, I've been using a Gold Note DS-10 with their dedicated PSU for the past couple of years. It's a fine enough combination, but due to my decreasing tolerance of digital hash, stridency, grain, or whatever the term is, I'm considering other, more forgiving sources. I'm willing to give up a certain amount of detail for increased smoothness and yes, more "euphony."
I live with a woman who has golden ears, and who also has grown even more intolerant of dissonance, unless it's been written by the composer. (IE; Allan Petterson).
I cannot spend more than say, 5K USD for what I perceive as "true value." But that's now, and before any of the possible, promised economic warfare begins in a few days.
Thanks. Mr. Admin., for your offer of help.
I live with a woman who has golden ears, and who also has grown even more intolerant of dissonance, unless it's been written by the composer. (IE; Allan Petterson).

I cannot spend more than say, 5K USD for what I perceive as "true value." But that's now, and before any of the possible, promised economic warfare begins in a few days.
Thanks. Mr. Admin., for your offer of help.
Re: Border Patrol DAC ?
As someone who had used a tube DAC in the past, I can certainly sympathize with enjoying a "warm" sound. It was actually a CJ D/A-2b. We're talking about a 30 year old DAC, tube based, and designed for 16b/44khz (CD) input. Now, the sound was "warm," "golden,", "relaxing," and "smooth." No harshness whatsoever. But these qualities were at an 11 on a 10 scale! But I also have to be honest in that the clarity, detail, and resolution of the audio was not anywhere near what modern high end DACs have to offer. It was a tradeoff in some respects. It made bad recordings sound better than what they were, but also did not give the full potential of good recordings. It always sounded really good, but rarely amazing.
$5k is a very handsome budget for a DAC so I don't think you are going to be limited in getting top of the line gear. I'm going to stick with my initial opinion of not considering a DAC that doesn't support at minimum of 24b/192khz. I firmly believe that the first step in the audio chain should not be discarding 50% of the audio information. Unfortunately, that is what you will get with a DAC that only supports a 96khz sampling rate. If the goal is to soften the digital harshness, I would much prefer this be done further down the line. I would go as far to say that I would recommend a less expensive DAC (say something like a mid-level schiit) vs an expensive one that can't handle the full audio stream.
So, what would I do if I needed a DAC and had a $5k budget. Well, I'll be honest,... one very specific thing comes to mind. Holo Audio May DAC. It's what I use now, it's frankly the best DAC I've ever heard in my life, and we have other users here on CJO that will swear by it as well. I've never heard as much transparency, dynamics, resolution, and soundstage as this DAC provides. And most of my listening is digital so I have a lot of skin in the game to use a high end DAC. That's just my 2 cents.
$5k is a very handsome budget for a DAC so I don't think you are going to be limited in getting top of the line gear. I'm going to stick with my initial opinion of not considering a DAC that doesn't support at minimum of 24b/192khz. I firmly believe that the first step in the audio chain should not be discarding 50% of the audio information. Unfortunately, that is what you will get with a DAC that only supports a 96khz sampling rate. If the goal is to soften the digital harshness, I would much prefer this be done further down the line. I would go as far to say that I would recommend a less expensive DAC (say something like a mid-level schiit) vs an expensive one that can't handle the full audio stream.
So, what would I do if I needed a DAC and had a $5k budget. Well, I'll be honest,... one very specific thing comes to mind. Holo Audio May DAC. It's what I use now, it's frankly the best DAC I've ever heard in my life, and we have other users here on CJO that will swear by it as well. I've never heard as much transparency, dynamics, resolution, and soundstage as this DAC provides. And most of my listening is digital so I have a lot of skin in the game to use a high end DAC. That's just my 2 cents.
-admin
Home Theater in Member Gallery
Main stereo: ART Amplifier and ET7s2. 2nd stereo: PV-14L and MV-55. Previously Owned: PF2 preamp, Evolution 2000 Amp, PV-12AL preamp, D/A-2b Vacuum-Tube Digital Processor.
Home Theater in Member Gallery
Main stereo: ART Amplifier and ET7s2. 2nd stereo: PV-14L and MV-55. Previously Owned: PF2 preamp, Evolution 2000 Amp, PV-12AL preamp, D/A-2b Vacuum-Tube Digital Processor.
Re: Border Patrol DAC ?
Dear Mr. Admin
Thanks again for your reply and the good info on the Holo Audio May DAC .
My present DAC/Streamer, the Gold Note DS-10 w/. EVO PSU, does support much higher sampling rates than the Border Patrol. My interest in the Border Patrol is motivated by my general preference for a more forgiving, sweeter, warmer presentation of reproduced music. I recall decades ago when my only source was vinyl- how intrepidly I searched for a MC cartridge which would make poorly recorded LPs at least listenable. I went through numerous cartridges for my LP12 Ittok. One of the loveliest was a Gold Bug Briar, a rather esoteric beauty. Strings in particular were treated with love. And yet, some of the DG and Columbia pressings continued to be a challenging listen.
Anyway, I don't want to derail my thread any further. Given the opportunity, I'd probably home-audition of the Border Patrol.
Thanks again for your reply and the good info on the Holo Audio May DAC .
My present DAC/Streamer, the Gold Note DS-10 w/. EVO PSU, does support much higher sampling rates than the Border Patrol. My interest in the Border Patrol is motivated by my general preference for a more forgiving, sweeter, warmer presentation of reproduced music. I recall decades ago when my only source was vinyl- how intrepidly I searched for a MC cartridge which would make poorly recorded LPs at least listenable. I went through numerous cartridges for my LP12 Ittok. One of the loveliest was a Gold Bug Briar, a rather esoteric beauty. Strings in particular were treated with love. And yet, some of the DG and Columbia pressings continued to be a challenging listen.
Anyway, I don't want to derail my thread any further. Given the opportunity, I'd probably home-audition of the Border Patrol.
Re: Border Patrol DAC ?
You are 100% right, in home audition is the best. Also keep in mind, a bad recording probably shouldn't sound terribly good. 

-admin
Home Theater in Member Gallery
Main stereo: ART Amplifier and ET7s2. 2nd stereo: PV-14L and MV-55. Previously Owned: PF2 preamp, Evolution 2000 Amp, PV-12AL preamp, D/A-2b Vacuum-Tube Digital Processor.
Home Theater in Member Gallery
Main stereo: ART Amplifier and ET7s2. 2nd stereo: PV-14L and MV-55. Previously Owned: PF2 preamp, Evolution 2000 Amp, PV-12AL preamp, D/A-2b Vacuum-Tube Digital Processor.
Re: Border Patrol DAC ?
Instead of "terribly good" how about "at least listenable?"admin wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 4:49 pm ...Also keep in mind, a bad recording probably shouldn't sound terribly good.![]()

Re: Border Patrol DAC ?
The Holo May is amazing, O personally own the Holo Spring KTE3 which is very very close for only $3200admin wrote: Fri Jan 17, 2025 5:27 am As someone who had used a tube DAC in the past, I can certainly sympathize with enjoying a "warm" sound. It was actually a CJ D/A-2b. We're talking about a 30 year old DAC, tube based, and designed for 16b/44khz (CD) input. Now, the sound was "warm," "golden,", "relaxing," and "smooth." No harshness whatsoever. But these qualities were at an 11 on a 10 scale! But I also have to be honest in that the clarity, detail, and resolution of the audio was not anywhere near what modern high end DACs have to offer. It was a tradeoff in some respects. It made bad recordings sound better than what they were, but also did not give the full potential of good recordings. It always sounded really good, but rarely amazing.
$5k is a very handsome budget for a DAC so I don't think you are going to be limited in getting top of the line gear. I'm going to stick with my initial opinion of not considering a DAC that doesn't support at minimum of 24b/192khz. I firmly believe that the first step in the audio chain should not be discarding 50% of the audio information. Unfortunately, that is what you will get with a DAC that only supports a 96khz sampling rate. If the goal is to soften the digital harshness, I would much prefer this be done further down the line. I would go as far to say that I would recommend a less expensive DAC (say something like a mid-level schiit) vs an expensive one that can't handle the full audio stream.
So, what would I do if I needed a DAC and had a $5k budget. Well, I'll be honest,... one very specific thing comes to mind. Holo Audio May DAC. It's what I use now, it's frankly the best DAC I've ever heard in my life, and we have other users here on CJO that will swear by it as well. I've never heard as much transparency, dynamics, resolution, and soundstage as this DAC provides. And most of my listening is digital so I have a lot of skin in the game to use a high end DAC. That's just my 2 cents.
VPI Classic II, Dynavector 20X2L, Art Audio Vinyl Reference, CJ ET5 Linestage, CJ Premier 12's, NAD M23, Holo Spring 3 Dac, Emotica ERC3 Transport, Roon Rock, TWL, Wywires, etc
Re: Border Patrol DAC ?
@Admin @jimbones
What are you guys using for streamers?
Thanks,
P
What are you guys using for streamers?
Thanks,
P
Re: Border Patrol DAC ?
Bluesound Node for the main system. Wiim for the 2nd.Paolo wrote: Mon Jan 20, 2025 8:59 pm @Admin @jimbones
What are you guys using for streamers?
Thanks,
P
-admin
Home Theater in Member Gallery
Main stereo: ART Amplifier and ET7s2. 2nd stereo: PV-14L and MV-55. Previously Owned: PF2 preamp, Evolution 2000 Amp, PV-12AL preamp, D/A-2b Vacuum-Tube Digital Processor.
Home Theater in Member Gallery
Main stereo: ART Amplifier and ET7s2. 2nd stereo: PV-14L and MV-55. Previously Owned: PF2 preamp, Evolution 2000 Amp, PV-12AL preamp, D/A-2b Vacuum-Tube Digital Processor.
Re: Border Patrol DAC ?
If I do move to another DAC I'd be interested in the latest Bluesound Node which will be able to employ DIRAC. Thanks Admin. I think Bluesound is a terrific value- had one before the Gold Note.