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External DAC and Theta Casablanca II

greetings,

i'm thinking of adding an external DAC in front of my Theta Casablanca II (w/Superior DACs). Just wondering how far up one would have to go to exceed the performance of the Theta Superior DACs...

$400 CambridgeAudio DACMagic
$750 PS Audio DLIII
$1,000 Benchmark DAC1
$1,800 Bryston
$2,500 Weiss

I know theta makes great stuff, but the DACs in my CBII have some yers on them, and things improve so rapidly in the digital side... just wondering if anyone has done what I'm thinking of, what results they found, and how far up one has to go to to exceed the performance of the CBII Superior DACs.

Many thanks,
Scott
128x128srosenberg
richard_stacy
686 posts
 
i will be watching this thread as i have a similar question re my casanova. i had started a thread but did not get much so hopefully your timing is better. i run the digital out from sb duet to the casanova. considering adding the transporter (analog out) or another external dac and not sure which would be the most upgrade. thanks for starting this one scott!
mds's avatar
mds
119 posts
 
Hi Scott,

You could call Theta, but I believe that the Casablanca I , II or III all convert the analog to digital. Therefore you cannot by pass your superior dacs and use the Casablanca at the same time. That is why the made the six shooter.

Doug
richard_stacy
686 posts
 
mds...i think scott was just referring to going to the analog inputs after doing the conversion to digital externally...
srosenberg's avatar
srosenberg OP
209 posts
 
Hi Richard,

You are exactly right... i was considering running from the source to an external DAC (via Coax / TOSLink) and then going from the DAC to the analogue inputs on the Casablanca II.

Theta is great stuff, no doubt, but digital has come a VERY long way since the CBII superior DACS were state of the art. And for what Theta charges to upgrade the DAC cards, one could but a really nice external unit. A Weiss DAC2, which I think would represent a considerable improvement, can be had for half the price of just one upgraded DAC card!

-Scott
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