DAC for either Roon or HQPlayer on Linux?


I am setting up a new system. I will be buying speakers, a DAC and maybe a few other things (e.g., a Network Audio Adapter ("NAA") if it isn’t built into the DAC). I have two amps: Yamaha P5000S power amp and Yamaha A-S801 integrated amp. I just bought those. I am seeking advice on what else to buy.

I envision I will use either HQPlayer or Roon, and I’m leaning toward trying HQPlayer first.

The HQPlayer page has this helpful hardware list that will be a starting point. In this post I mainly want to know what to buy. After I buy it I’ll probably have questions about getting everything set up.

Recommended hardware:
Of those, the Teac NT-503 looks most interesting to me (so far). I like that it has XLR balanced outputs which I can connect directly to my Yamaha P5000S amp. It also has a built in NAA. I also like that I can buy the Teac on Amazon.com. (For personal reasons, I will be limiting my shopping to Amazon or BestBuy at the moment.)

I intend to control playback via an Android phone. I believe either Roon or HQPlayer has Android control options.

I want to be able to play all the music stored on my local Linux server while controlling playback from my phone. Support for either NFS or SSHFS would be ideal. (I could set up Samba and maybe even DNLA if absolutely required.) I intend to use a wired Gigabit Ethernet network for local streaming. (One problem I might face is that my wired network is completely separated from my WiFi network. The two don’t talk to each other, so I’m not sure how I’ll solve the Android control issue...)

In case it is relevant, I do own a Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 and that’s what I’m using right now with the Yamaha A-S801 integrated amp.

Budget for DAC - about $1000 or so...

Purpose: music

Music sources: CD’s, lossless music files stored on computer and MP3’s when that’s all I have available. I don’t have any SACD’s yet, but I plan on purchasing more high quality music once I have this system set up. I don’t use streaming services that much. My music will be stored on a local Linux server as stated above.

Music styles: acoustic, Indian classical (sitar, srangi, flute), alternative rock (Portugal. The Man, Sleeping with Sirens, etc.), older rock (e.g., Rush).

Personal Preferences: I am looking for non-fatiguing, warm, musical qualities. In another discussion topic here on this forum, @mtrot and I agreed about "smooth, sweet, soft, silky treble" and "shimmery, airy cymbals" as goals.

I have a separate thread asking for speaker recommendations.


lowoverdrive
I suggest you try the exaSound! It's got a 30 day risk free trial.. The exaSound guys make phenomenal DACs for the price! It's no contest vs the Teac NT-503 or the Oppo Sonica! :)
Consider the Exogal Comet Plus.

Look into Metrum as well.

exaSound is a good recommendation.
Does anyone have any thoughts on the Monarchy Audio NM24 DAC Preamplifier?

I think the price is now up to about $1590. But the review I read states, "You’ll have to look in the neighborhood of $5000 to exceed its performance."

I was originally budgeting $1000. I can increase that, but I am still trying to keep my budget down to $2000 or less. The NM24 at $1590 fits my budget well. Some of the others, like the exaSound, are too pricey for me right now.

And maybe the NM24 is just as good as these other more expensive options, if this review is accurate. Thoughts?

The review is located here:

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2016-buyers-guide-dacs-1000-5000/

The NM24 teaches us three important lessons regarding digital-to-analog converter design. First, that there’s still plenty of audio magic left in Burr Brown’s 24-bit/96kHz PCM1704 chip, the world’s most sophisticated R2R DAC chip which Texas Instruments came close to discontinuing in 2012. Second, a tube buffer is sonically superior to an op-amp buffer, as can easily be ascertained by auditioning both built-in buffers: an AD811 video op-amp and a 6922 triode-based stage. Third, it is much easier (i.e., less costly) to design a good-sounding DAC using an R2R chip than it is with the currently ubiquitous delta-sigma type. There are only two digital inputs (TosLink and coaxial), so you’ll need a good external asynchronous USB link for computer audio. As compensation, you can use the line-level preamp outputs as a headphone amplifier via a suitable adapter cable. The sound is exceedingly analog-like, as the NM24 avoids the halo of brightness that permeates the harmonic textures of so many delta-sigma based DACs. You’ll have to look in the neighborhood of $5k to exceed its performance. Sold factory-direct. 

That review has the wrong URL, btw. Correct URL: http://www.monarchy-audio.com/NM24_Main_Frame.htm


If I wanted to spend more on a DAC, which I don't, this DAC might be my pick:

http://www.mojo-audio.com/digital-to-analog-converters/

Mystique v3 DAC Balanced
$7,555.55

But I really want to stick to a much lower budget.

In fact, I am still considering the Marantz HD-DAC1 at $799 or so.
https://www.marantz.co.uk/uk/products/pages/productdetails.aspx?catid=hifi&subcatid=usbdaconvert...

I read this comment (paraphrased) in some forum:

For me, the higher value proposition, is to buy mid-level electronics and spend more money on headphones / speakers... which allows me far greater enjoyment of my music library.

I take this approach after years of chasing the ghost of better equipment in the two channel world before realizing that it was a never-ending pursuit that detracted from the enjoyment of listening to great music.

That makes a lot of sense to me. At this stage of my learning curve in this hobby, I will aim to buy mid-level electronics and then spend what I save there on the best speakers I can afford. Hence, my desire to keep the DAC cost under $2000 and maybe even under $1000.

Thanks
 

their are plenty of oppo 105 darbee disc players for sale on audiogon. they have as good a dac as any.