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New to audio. Is there a good DAC that can produce layers of sound?

One of the Youtube audio reviews I watch as a beginner in audio system is Darko

He says during the Chord Qutest review that this DAC can produce layers of sound which is great

I kinda understand what he says because from my very first audio setup, which I returned due to awful sound of music this week, I could still feel some layers, maybe 2, from Post Malone’s song Deja Vu. Only, there were 2 clear layer, from 16bit 44.1 kHz signals from Sonos Amp, one very far back near the speaker and one right next to my ear. I thought it was amazing though. The speaker was SVS ultra bookshelf.

Now those are all returned to the seller, and I am looking for something more clear, musical, and awesome. So, the Qutest is one of the DACs I want to try.

But, if there is any DAC you, as a more experience audiophiles, would like to recommend to me for having great sound effect, could you please list some names? with brief description of the sound?

The price range I am looking for is about $1.5K or less. I prefer less. Used items included.

I am on a journey to setup an enjoyable sound system for myself and would like to see what others like.

Thanks!

K
yggy1
treynolds155
182 posts
 
I've owned the SVS Ultra Bookshelf speakers for five years now. I've powered them with a class A Threshold amp, a Primaluna tube amp and a baby Parasound Zamp3...all to great affect. I stream with an Aurender N100h and my first dac was a delta/sigma Arcam iRdac, a modest but highly rated dac. I was pretty happy with the system but always looking to improve so I bought a Schiit Gungnir multibit (Darko also loves this) with the Gen5 usb. To make a long story short...I didn't hear a big difference, it didn't transform a really good sounding system to an incredibly awesome system.

I think you need to take a hard look at the system as a whole instead of just one component. I don't think a particular type (D/S or multibit) or a brand or tube output this or that can change what might be an unbalanced system. Perhaps nailing down the speakers and amp first and then finding a dac you would be happy with...? 

The SVS speakers are a lot of fun and perhaps hard to beat for the 1 kilobuck price, but I'm moving up the chain too. Enjoy your journey!!!


yggy1 OP
78 posts
 
Thanks treynolds115

I did thought about keeping the SVS ultra and just swap the streamer+amp, but did find something that I can really enjoy and decided to move on. I can see why people enjoy that speaker. I understand the mix and match of components can result unintended sound, so maybe I am saving some money and get a do-able integrated amp like Hegel Rost that is on sale at the moment. Just hook up a streamer and that will probably going to justify my first audio setup. Anyhow. Thanks for the input. Might going to take years to finally have my end game. I will just enjoy as you say :)
treynolds155
182 posts
 
I'm looking to go with an integrated now too, just for the simplicity...less wires and all. I've always been intrigued by Hegel and noticed the Rost on sale too...lol. I've also been looking at Simaudio, their ACE has a dac and streamer built in. So many great options out there now for reasonable $$. 

Louis at Omega speakers is currently building me a custom set of CAMs which opens up my options to low powered components due to their high sensitivity/efficiency.  Oh what fun it is... :)
big_greg
6,567 posts
 
If you've decided to go for an integrated, consider the Peachtree Nova 300.  You can get a new one for $2k or a used one for under your budget.  The DAC is quite good.  I have one in my office system and am very happy with it.  It will sing with the right speakers, but is not a good match with "warm" speakers, IMO.  I'm currently using it with Focal Electra 1008 BE speakers.
istvan1976's avatar
istvan1976
10 posts
 
I would like to suggest to see around here;

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/master-index-of-measurement-comparison-ch...

better SINAD means better DAC in most cases.

My opinion is the Matrix X-Sabre pro (non MQA) is a great DAC and preamplifier at the top of the list. 1200$ a used one.

Better than Chord Qutest, I had both. With a good (low THD %) power amplifier you will hear layers and depth of the soundstage. I use Purifi 1ET400A eval board (0.0002% THD+N) and this couple is incredible. Matrix X-Sabre replaces the preamplifier so you can connect it to a power amplifier directly.

But you can choose under $1000, for example new Sabaj D5 DAC around 450$, measurements in the top class for that little price (preamplifier and headphone amps are built in)
 and Topping DACs are good as well, but under Sabaj D5, just check the measurement list I linked.

For good music layering, soundstage depth, DAC and power amplifier must be in the same league. 




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