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Back to the DAC

Just a bit of an update. When I inquired about a DAC upgrade in a recent post, it was suggested that I look at upgrading my cables first. Since then, I have done so (see my virtual system for that). Not over the top stuff, but a definite improvement over the mostly stock, generic cables I originally had.

System is sounding pretty darn good, but like most of us, you always wonder what a more expensive DAC will offer in the way of sound quality improvements.

Many of the recommended, higher priced DACs seem to include streamers and/or offer pre-amp capabilities. I have a good streamer and pre-amp and really don’t want all those components in one box.

Have any of you experienced a DAC which offers the sound qualities of highly praised units like the Mola Mola Tambaqui, DCS Lina, T&A 200, Weiss DAC501, etc. which their only function is a DAC?

128x128navyachts
mclinnguy's avatar
mclinnguy
466 posts
 

@navyachts not odd at all, many like the more "coloured" sound. It does take some getting used to, and myself I have enjoyed the purity of the sound without a pre over the recent years, but have recently purchased a primaluna evo 400 pre to toy around with and you know, "colour" the sound. 😉

Define "better" though: warmer? more forgiving? smoother? richer? more bass bloom? 

tvad
11,620 posts
 

Oddly enough, so far, I have found that using the Coda pre-amp produced a better sound than that of the Bricasti.

Not odd at all. It’s your ears and preferences that matter, and there’s no reason to feel compelled to explain your choice. 

Kudos to you for trying the DAC both ways. 

navyachts's avatar
navyachts OP
616 posts
 

As previously mentioned, I am not all that well versed in describe musical attributes. It either sounds bad, better or good, but let me state it this way, I thought it a little "edgy" or a little more digital sounding on its own. Maybe I will try it out again after I get some more hours on it.

tvad
11,620 posts
 

The DAC has 13 filters. Those will affect the sound characteristic. In general, Minimun filters sound slightly softer than Linear filters.

navyachts's avatar
navyachts OP
616 posts
 

I did try the filters, but I really couldn’t hear that big of a difference. I really think that my hearing is not so great anymore. I have to crack my jaw a lot these days to pop my right ear, if that makes sense. When I get some more serous time to sit down a give it a good listen, I will definitely try them again. I'll get my wife to have a listen as well as she has a much better ear for musicality, than I. Thank you.

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