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Which dac or other suggestions

First time poster here. I am looking for advice to increase the sound quality of my existing system. I have a Marantz SR7009 being used as a pre-amp powered by Emotiva's XPA-5, 2 revel m22 bookshelf speakers serving as my L & R, revel c52 center speakers and 2 revel timber matched C563 in ceiling rear surrounds. I mainly listen to music and switch between L &R stereo only and sometimes "all stereo" or matrix through all speakers. We do watch movies but seem happy with our home theater experience thus far although always open to suggestions. We mostly listen to music through a Sonos connect but we also do have an Orbit turntable. I know that the turntable will one day need to be upgraded to maybe a Rega RP3 or similar. I am in the process of adding two SVS SB12-nsd subs to the mix. Our room is large at 20x30x10 and I hope these subs will make some sort of impact. We also use an Apple TV. Now for my question.

I am looking to increase the sound quality of my Sonos driven music. I spoke to an audiophile (owner of Echo audio in Seattle) and he suggested a dac. In particular, because he knows I'm cheap haha!, he suggested the California Labs Sigma ii, Enlightened Audio Designs DSP-7000 mkiii, and some Krell dacs (stealth and ??) that I have never seen listed for sale. I missed an opportunity on both the Cal Labs and the EAD and I'm kicking myself. With ALL this being said, what other dacs should I consider? My budget is $750 or less and I would prefer $400 or less. Old vs new? Tube? NOS? DSD? Yadda yadda. I am looking for an increased sound stage and dynamic range. If I get more clarity and warmth then yee haw!

I appreciate all of your input in advance. Thanks for letting this first timer ramble.

Btw, I listen to mostly indie rock but I seriously dive into ALL types of music and yes I like it loud.
troydunnagan
gdhal's avatar
gdhal
1,641 posts
 
@randy-11

Do you have a suggestion/recommendation for a (best) music server that can play from a USB A flash memory stick? 

For some reason I can't stand the fact that all the high-end (>3K) DACs must have some kind of transport to deliver the music to it.

This is yet another reason I love the OPPO (UDP-205). Besides that it is great sounding with an excellent DAC, I can just "plug and play" so to speak. I'm merely looking for alternatives and an upgrade path. And yes, I realize the UDP-205 can be modified, but given the cost (2K+) I'd prefer not to go that route and just buy a different component new.

As I mentioned to williewonka previously in this thread, I am considering a Blue Sound Node 2, however, that too does not play directly from flash memory without first having to select the files in their app via computer or smartphone.
gdnrbob
4,444 posts
 
+2 for Bluesound
If your read other threads, you know I run the Bluesound Node (1) through an Ayre Codex. It is probably the best bang for the buck out there.
Another DAC manufacturer to consider:
Schiit
They offer great equipment at a very reasonable price, and many of their upper range pieces can be upgraded when upgrades are available (like the Ayre).
Bob
mhart032
34 posts
 
I have been through a ton of DACs to find some kind of improvement in my streaming audio, I didn't notice a huge improvement with any of them really. I stream via tidal or my own flac files. If you are thinking you just have to try it, I recommend the Jolida DAC III w it has Bluetooth for streaming a pretty decent tube stage and can be had for under 600. This is the only DAC I have kept with all that I've gone through. As far as the svs subs, svs makes a pretty decent sub. I have heard really highend systems with them, as well as low end. They all had great bottom end..

My advice would be to forget about a DAC, the marrantz has a built in dac, and is a pretty good preamp, specially in the Atmos category. I build a budget 9.2 theather for a friend useing that preamp and all elac ub5s for rears, fronts surrounds and atmos, McIntosh amps and 2 velodyne subs and it sounds quite good. 


bondmanp
1,808 posts
 

I agree with mhart032 - you are unlikely to improve on the DAC in the Marantz AVR without spending a good deal more.  I haven't heard the Emotiva amp, except at a show, but I have listened a bit to some mid-priced Revel speakers.  I liked them, but I would not catagorize them as particularly warm.  If you are looking for a warmer sound, I would focus on the amp and speakers.  The Marantz AVRs I have heard are also just to the warm side of neutral.  For an amp, at least for the front channels, consider Odyssey Audio.  I have an HT3 3-channel amp for my front channels, and it is as warm as I would want without losing any detail or extension in the mids and highs.  It was noticeably warmer and smoother sounnding than the Rotel amp it replaced, and an AVA amp I also auditioned at home.  I know this may be more than you want to spend, but a call to Odyssey might be worthwhile. 


And don't ignore the cables and power.  Better cables and better quality, cleaner power can make a system sound warmer by reducing RFI and other powerline hash, which, I believe, people hear as etch and grain in the treble.

kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 

From the OP: "I am looking to increase the sound quality of my Sonos driven music." and "My budget is $750 or less and I would prefer $400 or less."

My Bluesound Node2 recommendation was based on these requirements. I'm sure there are other changes in the audio path that can improve the SQ, e.g., speakers, amp, etc., but improving the source, at least in this particular case, will be the best bang for the buck, IMHO.

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