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Considering an upgrade

I've currently got a small Windows PC dedicated as a Roon server, with a Bryston BDP-2  streamer feeding an Yggdrasil DAC (gen2). I play everything through Roon - probably 60% Tidal, 40% locally stored content. There isn't anything in particular that I'm unhappy with, but I'm wondering what options I might have without spending too much more (maybe $4K to $5K more) than I could sell the streamer and/or DAC for.  

I listen mostly to female vocals (classic rock, folk, alternative), jazz, electronic. I probably value vocal smoothness, naturalness and clarity above all else, but I wouldn't want to give up much if anything that my system does well now. 

I'm curious about something like the W4S Music Server which would replace both the PC and streamer, or using a DAC with a built in streamer such as the PS Audio Direct Stream. But I'd also consider just doing a DAC upgrade if there is something in the $4-$6K range that is a significant upgrade over the Yggy. I'd consider new or used.

Also wondering about upgrading my Bryston BDP-2 to a BDP-3. Not sure what kind of SQ improvements I'd see.

Thanks,
Jay
128x128jaytor
soix
9,456 posts
 
I’d add the Metrum Pavane Level 3 DAC to your list. It’s also an R2R DAC like the Yggy, but the Pavane is a non-oversampling design that generally tends to sound smoother and more “analog” like, which sounds like it may appeal to you. I believe Hifi Heaven offers a purchase and return option, and it might well be worth considering if you haven’t yet heard a NOS DAC. People who love them, LOVE them.  FWIW, and best of luck.
nekoaudio's avatar
nekoaudio
489 posts
 
Some people consider the Yggdrasil to be one of the absolute best DACs available, so recommendations really depends on what you personally might consider a noticeable improvement. Two of the three DACs you listed are in a different direction than the Yggdrasil, in my opinion. But is that why you thought they might be good options to audition? It's hard to know what "smoothness of the midrange" means exactly.

For what it's worth, these are the DACs we carry and recommend that are also within your budget: Lumin, RME, Prism Sound, Bryston, Devialet. Plus our own Neko Audio D100 Mk2. For R2R, I'd suggest looking at Soekris. If you want something with built-in room correction, there's the Trinnov ST2-HiFi.
jaytor's avatar
jaytor OP
765 posts
 
@nekoaudio - I don't have much experience auditioning different DACs. I've heard a few other systems, but the only DACs I've had extensive time with in the past ten years is the Levinson No 39, W4S DAC-2, and my Yggy. I had owned the No 39 since the mid 90s when I started to get into computer audio. At the time, I was using a USB to SPDIF converter which wasn't very reliable, so I bought the W4S. Unfortunately, I found that I liked the sound of the No 39 more, even though it was 15 years old. A couple years later, I bought the Yggy based on all the positive reviews, and liked it much better than the other two. 

My interest in the three DACs is based on other's comments and reviews. I have not heard any of them. I'm curious about your comments regarding a different direction than the Yggy. Can you elaborate?

Thanks,
nekoaudio's avatar
nekoaudio
489 posts
 
@jaytor replied via direct message.
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