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DAC OR NO DAC???

I am a newbie here and just getting into hifi and I am sure this is a dumb question but if anyone can comment and help me out?

I am currently listening to a lot of youtube music videos(quality varies) and tidal from my hp laptop via hdmi connect to a marrantz 7704. the 7704 seems to be decoding the signal pretty well. I tried a audioquest dragonfly red and it gave me some interference or something. ( maybe I needed the jitterbug to go with it?) so I returned it and just using the hdmi. Happy with tidal also but really like the music videos. One question is hdmi sound quality not as good as I could get? Can a dac help from this source? a dac to try that uses an hdmi? or should I just forget hdmi? A dac to try for under 500 or should I just wait and spend more? Thanks


My startup system consists of bw 804 d3's ( I do see where people say they are a little bright but so far I am enjoying them:) Marantz 7704, McIntosh mc207, bw 805d3 and htm1d3 for movies, fathom 212 that I turn up for movies and back down for music, source as described above and audio technical at lp5 ( I know it is a cheaper one but wasn't sure how much vinyl I would listen to but I am impressed with the quality of the new vinyl and sound I am currently getting compared to digital) -room 13 x 15 no acoustic treatments yet




rwrightcpa
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
S/PDIF and USB will crush HDMI.  I would spend at least $1K unless you can find something good used.
gdnrbob
4,447 posts
 
An Ayre Codex, or a Schiit Gungnir Multibit would be my choice, but if you want to stay below $1K, get a Schiit Bifrost Multibit. You should be able to get one used for $400 or so. It won't be the end all, but it will give you an idea of what a good DAC can do.
Bob
pkvintage's avatar
pkvintage
209 posts
 
NAD M5 is one if the best deals out there. $600 to 800 used. Retailed not that long ago for $2300., so it is quite current. I have one and it sounds great. 

Also Moon 100 D. $300 used. Not like the M5 but still good. 

And do you need a dac. Unequivocally YES
anwar
119 posts
 
If your source is mainly Youtube videos, you are fine with your existing Marantz 7704 pre/processor as the DAC.  It uses 32 bit AKM 4458VN DAC.  I don't think a sub $500 DAC can be better if the source is not high quality.
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