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Need Balanced DAC with optical and coaxial inputs for 2 channel home theater system

For my 2 channel home theater system (only), I am considering replacing my Musical Fidelity M1 DAC A with a better sounding DAC.  My needed inputs are one cable box using optical and one Sony Blu-ray player using coaxial.  I need balanced outputs (XLR) to connect the DAC to my Ayre AX-7e integrated amplifier.
  

The Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 ($1,500) and the Parasound Zdac DAC ($2,500) are on my review list.  Any comments on these units?  Or, what other DAC's should I add to my list?   Considering my two input sources, will I really get better sound if I replace the Musical Fidelity M1 A DAC?

The sound quality using the Musical Fidelity M1 DAC is much better than than using the cable box RCA outputs direct to the Ayre AX-7e amp (my system is wired using both options using the source switch on the M1 DAC).  

Since the Parasound Zdac v.2 DAC is priced at $2,500 that is my top budget but I really prefer to keep the cost under $2,000.  Your comments and suggestions are appreciated.


hgeifman
johnziomas's avatar
johnziomas
41 posts
 
demoed at home for 2 weeks the Benchmark Dac2 and Mcintosh D100, kept the Mcintosh, it's beautiful.  New D150 (same as D100 but does DSD) is $3k.

good luck


audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
 Here is a solution for multi source coax and opt inputs with Opt output for convenience while still maintaining Ayre Codex level performance.
   1177A zu opt/coax switcher.
 


http://www.cs1.net/pic/audio_authority/1177A-1_back.jpg
hgeifman OP
2,230 posts
 
Hi audioconnection,  Thanks for your suggestion for a optical/coaxial switcher box.  It is an interesting concept but I prefer not to add an addition box to my family room cabinet (and prefer a single box solution).

After additional review, I decided to pass on the Benchmark DAC2 HGC because it is NOT FULLY balanced AND requires the DAC’s internal jumper cables to be adjusted to match my Ayre AX-7e integrated amplifier.  My Ayre AX-7e integrated amplifier requires a high quality balanced input so I need  fully balanced DAC. 

I am now researching the Wyred 4 SoundDAC-2 DSDse. It is fully balanced, has good quality sound, has XLR outputs including optical and coaxial inputs. The reviews are very good and it should work fine in my 2-channel home theater system.  Thanks again for all your help.  

extravaganza
373 posts
 
you can also look at bryston bda dac
audioman2015
103 posts
 
If you like laid back,lush, and polite sound take a look at the Luxman DA-06.  A Japanese version can be had on Ebay for about $2800.  

I had the Nad M51 for a week to demo. There was a lot of good going for it but I thought it was not worth $2000 but definitely $1100 used. It is lacking in the lower frequencies and uses a switching power supply vs linear.  It easily bested my Oppo HA-1 but was no where close to my Lite Dac 60 that I modified heavily.  BTW, the Lite Dac was the best audio purchase I ever made. 
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