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DAC recommendation for an entry level system

I would like to add an apple TV a Logitech Squeezebox Touch and a Dune HD Prime 3.0 blu-ray player to my system which consist of NAD C375BEE Integrated amp, Rega P3 24 and Revel Concerta F12 speakers and would like to know if anyone can recommend a DAC. I have my music collection ripped to FLAC and Apple Lossless on my server. I can go up to $600 and I'm willing to buy used. TIA
samaritano69
mjmch2003
243 posts
 
Tony, what's the best (largest?) file you're able to pass from Spotify? Are you running it from the Squeezebox?
tonyangel
309 posts
 
Mjmch2003, I've run Pandora, Spotify and MOG from all of my devices that support the services. Unless I'm mistaken, the highest bit rate that Spotify does is 256kps (if that high). As far as I know, MOG has the highest quality stream at 320kps for much of its content.

I don't know how else to answer your question. I may have missed what you are after.

The capabilities of the Emotiva DAC far exceed those needed by any streaming service. Just for reference, I've fed 24 bit, 192khz files through the Emotiva from my NAS, through the Touch, without problems. The DAC's performance with streaming services isn't really an issue.
timlub
2,039 posts
 
I am using an older version of this, it sounds surprisingly good. The only thing well known that I've compared it to is a Wadia 121.... My Dac was richer, more organic with similar detail and sound stage.... But, what I have has an inferior USB decoder and I am using an Audio GD USB to Spdif. This is a very good value.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valab-ES9018-Sabre-Asynchronous-32bit-192K-USB-DAC-with-XLR-Balanced-Output-/251299941940?pt=US_CD_Players_Recorders&hash=item3a82a4ce34
mjmch2003
243 posts
 
Thanks, Tony. I noticed that Spotify sounds better when I run it from my ipod through a Pure (transport) than if I run it off my Squeezebox. Same coax cable, etc. Have no idea why...
tonyangel
309 posts
 
Mjmch2003,

I don't doubt that at all. The Squeezebox is great as a sum of its parts, but it isn't the greatest at actually playing music. I've been tweaking my Squeezebox Touch for a while now and have been able to attain a higher degree of detail, wider sound stage and better bass.

A lot of the improvement in the Touch's sound quality has come from modifications that disable the wireless and the screen. If you have a Touch and are interested, look into Soundcheck's Squeezebox Toolbox (TT 3.0) and a third party app called "Enhanced Digital Out." Each has its own effect on the character of the music coming out of the Touch.
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