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To DAC or not to DAC?

I’ve been very happy with my system for a few years now and hadn’t thought much about any additions. It’s not the best but respectable and enjoyable. (Mcintosh MC 207, MX122, MR85, MB100,OPPO 205, Dared MC-7P tube preamp for Marantz TT15s1 with B&W 803’s & 805’s) I have no intention of giving up any media source and have large collections of LP’s CD’s and DVD’s, but have recently been spending more time with streaming. I enjoy HT and 2 channel music listening. I recently stopped in to my local retailer, who tried to explain what hidden gems I was missing by not having a separate and dedicated DAC. I run my Oppo with HDMI to the MX122 and the MB100 with XLR’s. The retailer was directing me towards a Mytek or Moon DAC. I’m looking for other’s opinions on whether it might make a dramatic difference over my present system. Please let me know your thoughts.


gwbeers
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goofyfoot
1,354 posts
 
Isn't there a DAC chip in your Oppo player?
big_greg
6,620 posts
 
Both the Oppo and the MB100 have a DAC in them. The one in the Oppo 205 is pretty good. I’m not familiar with the MB100.  An external DAC may provide an improvement in sound quality.

I use an Auralic Vega DAC instead of the internal DACs in my Oppo 203 and Blue Sound Node 2. I’m very happy with the sound quality. I think it’s very close to being on par with my Marantz KI-Pearl CD Player.

Will the difference you experience be night and day? Probably not. Will the investment be worth the difference in sound quality? Only you can make that call.

Can you get a loaner from the dealer and compare so that you can decide for yourself whether it’s a worthwhile investment?
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,942 posts
 
Yes Yes Yes!!!! Go with a non oversampling DAC, and you will never turn back.
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