2. digital
  3. 131725-5376

DAC upgrade or Amplifier

Which has more influence over the soundstage - the DAC or the amp? My sound stage is high and wide, but recordings sound 3 dimensional only rarely. My equipment is at best mid fi - Adcom 5500 amp and Cambridge audio DAC magic. Listening primarily to Tidal at their highest level available.  The rest of the system if Adcom Preamp 750 (the Nelson Pass design), Tyler Acoustic speakers, tributary cables throughout. Any advice or suggestions for upgrades for improving the "depth" of the soundstage is appreciated (let's say that an upgrade for less than $1500 is in the budget, and I'm comfortable buying used from reputable sources). Thanks!

philtangerine
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Another option for you if you are interested in doing computer audio, but want to ease into it is the Sony HAP-1EX.  Fairly low jitter and a decent DAC, all for an affordable price.  You can even drive your amps directly, so you save on the preamp and DAC.

I have heard $100K systems at shows driven by the HAP-1EX, and they sounded quite good.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

philtangerine OP
29 posts
 
 Steve @audioengr  - before I posted I did some reading on DACs and there seems to be some reservation  out there about a DAC with a digital volume control - that keeping the volume control in the analogue sequence is important to the overall sound. Aside from that, I was quite interested in a DAC that would be an upgrade to my existing DAC and Adcom Pre...do you have any concerns about digital volume controls?
mr_bill
347 posts
 
Steve,
Are you talking about the Sony HAP Z1es?
There is no HAP1ex that I’m aware of. 
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Phil - Each volume control technology has its deficiencies, so all of them are a compromise of some sort.  The best scenario is probably to do some reduction in volume using a DAC digital control, gain control and then additional drop using S/W volume control. You can do about 10dB with a good volume like Amarra has without any SQ impact.   If you can find a DAC with several gain settings, but no volume control, this is probably best.  Set it as a lower setting and then reduce more with S/W volume on a computer.

Like almost all design, its not so much the technology as the implementation that makes a good performing circuit.  If the digital volume control on the DAC is implemented well, you will get excellent results.

HAP-Z1es is correct.


Steve N.

Empirical Audio

philtangerine OP
29 posts
 
Thank you Steve N.
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