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DACs with a budget of $800

Hey All, 

I am considering getting a stand alone DAC for my digital streaming. My system as it stands now sounds a little forward to me. Soundstage depth is lacking. Separation, width and height appear appropriate, as does image density. I am currently running a Bluesound node 2 streamer in my main system. The rest of my system is as follows:

Sources: 
TV, JA Michele Gyrodec, Bluesound Node 2

Amp(s)
Red Dragon Audio M1000 Mk I monoblocks and sometimes I switch in my Anthem MCA 20

Preamp
Blue Circle 21.1

Tranducers
Spacial Audio M3 turbo s
GMA Continuum I's
Anthony Gallo Reference 3.1
Maggie MMG's
Paradigm Monitor Sub 12 (stereo pair)

as I said I am really looking for some depth and "air" in my sound stage but also highly value impact, extended sparkle on the top end, and punch.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. 



128x128birdfan
1graber2's avatar
1graber2
303 posts
 
@erik_squires 
yes, +1 for the Schiit Gungnir Multiibit, can be bought used now. 
and remember that the Schiit price on their website is about 1/2 the price that it would be if it were sold in brick and mortar buildings-

Schiit sells direct to you, no middleman.

kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
ben, in my experience, all things being equal, the biggest factor contributing to the soundstage depth is the distance of the speakers from the wall behind them, regardless of the speakers’ brand or model. With open baffles the affect is even more pronounced since they act as bi-polar transducers and create more sound pressure behind them when compared to typical box speakers. I personally don’t think the “electronics” will give you the depth you’re looking for. Other attributes maybe but not depth. 
clearthink
1,421 posts
 

kalali" the biggest factor contributing to the soundstage depth is the distance of the speakers from the wall behind them, regardless of the speakers’ brand or model. With open baffles the affect is even more pronounced since they act as bi-polar transducers"

This is completely wrong and reveals a profound ignorance of loudspeaker design and misunderstanding of their application, installation, and interaction with they're surroundings an "open baffle" speaker is not at all bipolar it would function as a dipole speaker which has characteristics and effects unique to dipolar designs and shares little to nothing in common with any bipolar speaker of which type several models do indeed exist.
erik_squires
16,389 posts
 
Well, without jumping into the fray, generally speaking, if you want better imaging, you must improve the acoustics in the dimension that is lacking. If you want depth, then the acoustics behind the speaker's matter most, which can be improved in a variety of ways. Moving the speakers as well as adding absorption and diffusion behind them both work well. 

However, the space behind the listener also matters. If you want width, pay attention to the acoustics to the sides. 

Best,

E
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,051 posts
 
If you can find one...Oppo Sonica DAC.
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