Higher End DACs


I am looking for a DAC (potentially streamer&DAC) to be paired in a mcintosh system (c1100/611). Its my first foray into digital streaming and I have no need for a CD player.

I see a lot of love for Esoteric, however, most seems to be around their transports? Are they not as renowned for pure digital streaming and/or standalone DACs? I see DCS (for instance) often referenced for standalone DACs - how does Esoteric compare?
ufguy73
I am not perfect either, but I can go a lot further into details than others. I improve many different things in audio all the time and over and over again. I start to create new ideas in my head. And I will try them out with an audio system that can reveal all aspects of sound.

In our world, acoustic limitations do not exist anymore. But in the trial&error world, it is still the most negative part. Dedication and thousands of hours made me able to understand why it affects sound and stage so much. And how to solve it.

Each human will always choose a system that is experienced as more emotional and intense. By creating audio systems that can reveal all aspects of sound without any acoustic limitation creates together new freedom in audio.

Because it brings you so much closer to the music and you are never be taken out of your comfort zone due to the negative influence of the acoustic. This also counts for electro-smog, high-frequency noise, and magnetism.

We did the same with digital audio, we reduced all the negative aspects of sound and stage. Many people forget most of these negative aspects because they have no experience and knowledge about them.
audiotroy says.... “Please show us one digital front end that: Can be ordered with a world class preamp for almost no additional cost”.

Aurender A30
DCS Bartok

PS: Worldclass is bit of exaggeration when it comes to preamp functionality in a ‘all in one’ box components.
In January 2015 my system and that of many of my clients were not stable enough. It could be awesome for a week and after that week I could hear some harshness in the sound. And the dynamics and layering would be less as well. And when I visited clients I auditioned it even more often.

So I phoned a person who is also specialized in electro-smog. We talked for many hours on the phone at that time. And I started to focus on the influence of electro-smog. And I tested many tools that are on the market in this particular aspect.

Like most audio products most products regarding electro-smog are not able to reveal all aspects of sound. So based on Tru-Fi (all aspects of sound) most products did work more negative than positive. But after time I understood what electro-smog is and does to sound and stage.

And I was able to find different tools (products and parts we use for modification) that can reveal all aspects of sound and limit the negative influence of electro-smog. Later that year I started to focus on the influence of magnetism on sound and stage.

In 2016 I met a person who is specialized in high-frequency noise. Again we talked for hours on the phone. I started to test different products and parts that reduce the influence of high-frequency noise. And again most products and parts again were not able to reveal all aspects of sound.

It cost me a lot of time to find parts and products who are able to give me access to all aspects of sound. Because over 99,99% are still useless. This is what it is. But  I can deal with that.

Now in 2020, we are far ahead of all other people in audio. This year we will start to talk with manufacturers to imply our ideas in products and systems. It will create many new options and levels in both sound&vision.
I dont believe in miraculous solution in general, when they exist they are always high cost.

There exist differences between each rung of the 3 rungs scale, an amplifier of 500 dollars cannot beat a 10,000 one....But this being said, the fabulous upgrading of the sound I live with a low cost budget has transformed totally my system in this " emotional" space where it is impossible to turn off any musical files because it is too beautiful and unique...I trusted my ears and they guide me each step at a time....The ears know much than our conscious brain...

I am not a fool ,there exist better systems than mine, my point is not boasting about my system, my point is debating the belief that it is necessary to pay big money to afford this "emotional" musical space... For me the dimensions of sound necessary to enjoy music are : natural timbre, imaging, soundstage, immersive presence, details, 3-d very precise locations of main instruments and background...Presence of harmonics in relations with all or most of the spectrum...My 4 points methods address the 4 level of perceived musical sound... I will not repeat it here tough.... I just want to gives hope to all people with low cost budget...I enjoy very much what I have and know why.... My best to all....