2. digital
  3. 147809-129247

Is my DAC my weakest link?

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this sort of thing. I recently bought the following system used:

Thiel CS2
Rotel RC-1070
Audionics BK-ST 140 (BT-2)
NAD 5000
Music Player II DAC

It sounds great and I am very happy with it. I am wondering, though, whether the Music Player II might be outdated. I know everything is old (hopefully some of it in a classic sense), but I have been wondering whether more recent technology might have greatly improved DACs. Would it be worth it to invest in a more recent DAC, and if so, what price point would be roughly commensurate with the system? (i.e. no need to improve the DAC beyond the capability of everything else).

I stream Tidal HiFi through Audirvarna Plus to the DAC.

Thank you for your insights!
ryunosuke13
erik_squires
16,060 posts
 
The issue with DACs is that modern one's (< 10 years old) do much better with Redbook (44 kHz / 16 bit) playback than old DACs.

If you can hear a big jump in sound quality when you go to high resolution, that goes away with most DACs today.

I like Mytek, Schiit is also an inexpensive option which works really well. Topping is an absolute bargain if they fit your budget better.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
astewart8944
499 posts
 
I recommend the Chord Mojo. There is one currently listed for less than $400 on Agon. It's not mine. I use the Mojo as a headphone DAC when traveling. I know that others on this site use the Mojo as the primary DAC in their home systems.   
reubent
6,994 posts
 
FYI, the link the OP provided is to a review of his DAC:

HRT Music Streamer II

High Resolution Technologies Music Streamer II USB DAC


millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Based on that component list I would have to say your weakest link is the lack of power cords, interconnects, and speaker cable. Power line conditioner? My guess is you are still using the factory fuses. Cables laying right on the floor. As Kurtz says in Apocalypse Now, "The horror. The horror."
ryunosuke13 OP
10 posts
 
Thanks to everyone for your input! I will definitely check those out.

millercarbon, I don't know what interconnects and power line conditioners are. I do have some cables in midair and some on the floor, you're right--I should avoid that, I take it? I will ask whether they are the factory fuses. Some cables are monster and some are audioquest, but I don't know what kind exactly. The speaker cables are probably original I am guessing.

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