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Best DAC for my situation...Read on!

So thoughts and opinions please.
What I have and my idea.
Oppo 105D and Bluesound Vault 2 feeding into McIntosh C48 preamp.
I chose the C48 because it is a nice complete all in one box solution, headphone amp, mm and mc phono amp, lots of analog inputs with 2 sets of xlr inputs AND 5 total digital inputs.
Now I have both the Oppo and the vault connected by analog and digital inputs to the C48 so I can compare modes pretty instantly and I have to admit both cases the analog sounds better.
Which makes me wonder if the C48, although a great all in one solution may be the hold up as far as the DAC performance is concerned.

What I was considering as a trial is a seperate DAC that can handle the digital signals from the units and then output the analog signal via xlr preferably, back to the C48.
At this stage I have no intention of getting rid of the C48 as I really like the analog signal SQ as well as the headphone performance.

Any good suggestions in the range of $2000 used or am I really not going to see much improvement at that price range over the C48 capability?
uberwaltz
mesch
3,529 posts
 
I don't doubt that an improvement can be made using an external DAC. With a budget of $2000, and the fact that your sources output SPDIF, I would consider searching for a somewhat older DAC known for possessing a robust power supply and excellent analog output stage. These can be had at a fraction of the original price. 

Now, which ones to consider? I feel I am not one to make a recommendation here, for lack of hearing many (most) of the possibilities. I am using a Bryston BDA-1. It has several SPDIF inputs, and  at the time of purchase I prefered the use of an external USB/SPDIF converter.
marktomaras
544 posts
 
For $2k, I would absolutely recommend the PS Audio Perfect Wave Dac Mark II with Bridge II.  This is a $4800 combination and can likely be had for $2k or perhaps a touch less if you’re lucky.  You may not find them together, but the are compatible and the Bridge II is a current product.  PS Audio recently upgraded the firmware on the PWD mk II, showing that the product, though no longer in production, is still properly updated and kept relevant and current.

I have this exact setup, I control it with Roon, which is really outstanding software.  You can feed it with the bluesound if you like, but a direct connection via Ethernet to the DAC’s bridge unit from a computer will be better.

if you find a great deal on the PWD mk II, but not the bridge, you can forgo the latter for a while and just use the digital output from the bluesound to feed the DAC.  However, I would consider trying a bridge 2 and Roon when you get curious. Roon is the best audio software I have experienced and the bridge II takes the DAC to higher levels of performance.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Some nice suggestions, I did think along the lines of an older model with large power supplies like Esoteric or similr.

@marktomaras 
One thing I steered way clear of when entering the digital realm, have a number of threads on this subject...lol, was total avoidance of ANY computer based music for a number of reasons for my situation.
My system needs to be fool proof to the extent that my wife and daughter can just come in and push a few buttons on the units and select the music they want from the Bluos app on their phones, iPad etc either from the vault direct or from Tidal via the Bluos app.

I appreciate there may be better SQ to be had going computer based but not going to happen in this household.
marktomaras
544 posts
 
I hear that.  It is certainly a hurdle.  However, it can be easily managed.  For example, I have an older mac mini, with no display, always on, always running roon, always connected to my dac.  I have the timer on the mac restart itself once per day at 4AM to keep it happy and fresh.  Roon auto starts on startup.

To operate the dac, one simply turns it on, and uses a smartphone to select the music.

I would have wholeheartedly agreed with your not in this household phrase a few years ago when this crap was way over complicated.  However, it has evolved a bit.  In your case, Bluesound provided a great solution.  However, the method I just explained is probably a lot simpler than you'd though in earlier years.

Nevertheless, the PS Audio PWD II is an awesome piece!  Worth a shot with the blue sound too.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
@marktomaras 
I appreciate your reply which is very fair and actually good food for thought and future consideration.
Usually when I tell people I do not want to go the computer route they get all bent out of shape and holier than thou on me.
From the sounds of it they have made it easier for us mere mortals to setup and use, definitely something I will have to research a little more.
And yes the Bluesound while not the top dog in SQ by any means was and is a fantastic simple elegant solution and their customer support has been exemplary imho.
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