How To Connect a DAC?

@tcotruvo ,

”I am cautiously optimistic that a separate DAC will sound better.”

IME yes an outboard dac can make a substantial difference to the one in the Bluesound. Although I’m sure not SOTA a went up in my mind a few notches with the Musician Aquarius. System changer in my system. Didn’t expect that at all.

only streaming device I have is the Node 2 and it recently died. Only vinyl and cds for me for the foreseeable future.

Oh, I’m in Duluth. 

I know ~50+ people in Duluth, but none to my knowledge are into this stuff.

But you can stop at the donut shop in Hinckley on your way to the cities. 😉

Here’s what Topping technical assistance recommended:

‘You could use the XLR output of the D90SE to the subwoofers. 1 subwoofer be connected to R and the other to L”

Then I would connect the active/powered speakers to the R and L RCA outputs on the DAC.

Wait…you have a Best Buy in Duluth?  Shocker.  FYI, no Best Buys have “listening” setups, just walls full of equipment to sell.  BTW, the Gustard R26 is $250 off right now on Amazon.  If it doesn’t blow you away just return it.  FWIW.

https://smile.amazon.com/Gustard-R26-Discrete-Decoder-Balanced/dp/B0B4P2NPKK/ref=sr_1_4?crid=RIJQGTQAOB4V&keywords=gustard%2Br26&qid=1669664989&sprefix=%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.765d4786-5719-48b9-b588-eab9385652d5&th=1

@soix

You make some very good points!  As to some degree I’m taking a shot in the dark, I never thought about buying new and returning if it’s not worthwhile.  I’ll have to see if the ‘return’ is to China, as shipping could get expensive.