The big DAC decision


One of the challenges of building an audio system is trying to make sure that all of the individual components of that system have equivalent and compatible technical specifications. For example, it doesn’t make sense to purchase speakers that are capable of producing sound in the 5Hz to 20kHz range if your amp is only capable of sending audio signals in the 30Hz to 15kHz range to these speakers. Unless, of course, you hope to upgrade your audio system such that it can properly drive these speakers someday.

In my desire to build an audio system that has the proper balance of individual component capabilities I’ve found myself struggling over the choice of a DAC. Basic technical specifications aren’t necessarily applicable here. The foundation of my system is a Woo Audio WA-33 headphone amp and Focal Utopia headphones. My music files consist of standard CD 16bit/44kHz resolution to Hi-Res DSD files. What I’m struggling with is choosing a DAC that would allow me to get the most out of this amp and headphone pairing. From the research I’ve done so far it is clear that the $23k Meridian Audio Ultra DAC would bring out the best of any system it is connected to. But does it make sense to purchase a DAC of this quality (and price) for my humble headphone system? Or would it be more appropriate to get the Chord DAVE (setting the MQA format compatibility issue aside for this discussion)? I’m currently using an Oppo 105D as my DAC and the music sounds pretty decent, but I know my system can sound better.

So I was hoping to get some input from fellow audio enthusiasts out there to make what may be the most important decision of my system build. I’m also looking at getting a PS Audio DirectStream Power Plant 12 to power this system. Anyone out there have any suggestions or thoughts on this issue?


slvrsrfr
Thanks for the input Erik.  Have you had an opportunity to compare your Mytek Brooklyn to the Manhattan II?
Now that I think about it, I think my basic question is whether a high end DAC is really appropriate for a system built around a pair of headphones.

I do not listen through headphones so this may be advise that may not help you.  IMO the source is critical to hearing what a system can do.  The DAC that I build reproduces music that most people have never heard before in that the separation and tone of instruments really comes through like I have never heard before.  It does not matter what the other components are, the DAC changes the sound in everyway.  Same goes for my phono stage and preamp.  I know some of the DACs mentioned above and they cannot reproduce music the same way.

Happy Listening.  
Buy a MSB Analog DAC.  Recently MSB has discontinued the Analog DAC so you may have to pick up a used one.  I have heard, auditioned, and researched many DACs in the last five or six years and I haven’t found one that plays music as “beautifully” as this DAC.  

Recently MSB released the modular Renderer card/module for the Analog DAC and it’s excellent.  It’s a Ethernet module that connects you to web streaming services (ie TIDAL) and you can run ROON too.  

The Analog DAC is current even though it was initially released six or seven years ago and it can play just about any file format/sampling combination you’ll find.