2. digital
  3. 187935-178608

DAC upgrade

Let me start by saying I am a vinyl guy, but digital streaming, particularly if I can achieve the right sound has many advantages. My 2 channel equipment is as follows: 

Rogue RP-1 w/ NOS Brimar CV4003, LSA Warp 1, KEF R11’s, Rhythmic F12SE, Pro-ject 1Xpression w/Hana ML, Rega Aria, Bluesound Node, Marantz CD6007, Schiit Modi Multibit 2. Good to very good power, speaker, interconnect cables.  
My weakest link (I believe) is my DAC.

My desire is the best sounding DAC below $2,500, but certainly don’t mind spending less. i want the DAC to be as good as my best current component. I don’t need a DAC with preampliflication, don’t need balanced, don’t need headphones, however I would not eliminate a DAC with superior sound with those features. I do prefer a small form factor.  
My current top contenders are:

Chord Qutest, Schiit Yggy, RME ADI-2, Topping D90 III.

The Chord checks all my boxes… reviews, sound, form factor, no unneeded features, etc and don’t mind its quirky lights… but, looking your thoughts/ recommendations.  Thanks!

 

 

128x128signaforce
ddafoe
259 posts
 

I've owned the D90 (AKM4499), RME, and Yggy LIM.

I found the D90 dynamic, ultra resolving and clean, but very analytical and fatiguing and returned it within 30 days.   The RME was less resolving (at least less forward), less dynamic, but very easy to listen to.  Overall for the $$ I loved it and only sold it to move to a MojoAudio R2R DAC.   The Yggy LIM reminded me a lot of the more expensive Mojo Audio and has a more rounded less detailed oriented sound to my ears, with good dynamics.   I would have kept it but I found it lacked a little too much resolution (when I compared to to my much more expensive Meitner DAC).

Currently I'm running a Weiss 205 with LPS and think its my favorite DAC so far that I've heard in the $2K range.   It is super resolving and clean without being fatiguing or analytical.   Compared to the Yggy LIM or Meitner it is a little lean, but not so much that I feel like selling it.

Post removed 
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,717 posts
 


+chord,  I'm very happy with mine. 

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,042 posts
 

OP, besides the good answers you will get here, you should try the search bar on Audiogon. There are many good conversations around the general topic, "What DAC should I get?"

Try, e.g., this:

https://forum.audiogon.com/search/index?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=which+DAC

signaforce's avatar
signaforce OP
239 posts
 

@marco1 

i am adding the Pontus II to the short list. Its sound signature sounds perfect, relaxed, warm, no harshness or cymbalism. Wish it wasn’t Chinese, as all else equal prefer US or European. Listening to my MM2 right now, definitely a little harsh.  
BTW, my room is probably bright, with 10 windows & a 75” TV between the speakers for my HT..

@facten 

Want dynamic while warm, no harshness or cymbalism, good soundstage. So resolving is out. 
@glennewdick 

Still #1

@jimmy2615 @ddafoe 

Thanks, looks good, but is too large a form factor. 
@hilde45 

Thanks, I will take a look.  

More to discover