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 I am wondering, though, whether the Music Player II might be outdated.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
 
If you are looking for a good, inexpensive power conditioner, I recommend Furman with SMP and LiFT. The least expensive unit is still pretty good and a relative bargain compared to pricier brands:.


https://amzn.to/2Un9dql

The biggest drawback of this unit is the lack of multiple filter banks. For that you need to move up the ladder in Furman units, or Shunyata or what have you, but given how expensive they get, it's cheaper to buy several Furmans. :D
reubent
6,994 posts
 
@ryunosuke13 - What amp do you have? You say "Audionics BK-ST 140 (BT-2)". However, that doesn't seem to be correct. 

Audionics made a pre-amp model BT-2 and B&K made an amp model ST-140. I'm guessing your amp is a B&K ST-140, correct?
niakapa0
3 posts
 
I second the suggestion to try Chord Mojo. Compared to old dacs it may already be staggeringly good. I have a Bricasti M1 SE but Chord is very very good indeed at a fraction of the price. 

Some manufacturers of high quality dacs such as Benchmark also allow in-home trial with free returns (minus shipping costs, which are moderate).
canibefrank
406 posts
 
get a TEAC NT-505
Ag insider logo xs@2x
astewart8944
499 posts
 
+1 @erik_squires on the Furman recommendation for your system. A power conditioner basically does what it sounds like it does. It makes sure the power your system sees is, in easy terms, "clean and steady." The electricity coming into your house has audible noise in it and it doesn't always (or ever) come through the lines in a uniform, steady flow--electricity surges--and a power conditioner helps harness this attribute and provide your equipment with a steady diet of cleaner and steadier power. I've oversimplified but hopefully the explanation helps you. BTW there are many folks on this site who don't use any power conditioning because they do not think it adds significant value. I have run previous systems without power conditioning. However, I am now a strong proponent of using power conditioning. FWIW the Chord Mojo will probably provide you a more discernible audible improvement in your sound than an entry level Furman. But that doesn't mean the Furman isn't a good idea for you. 
More to discover