DAC upgrade?

Hello, I was hoping to get some insight and opinions on upgrading my DAC. I currently am using a Rotel A14 integrated amp and am using the internal DAC of the Rotel. I can't seem to find any specifics regarding the DAC other than its an

AKM 32-bit/ 768kHz Digital to Analog Converter. The amplifier is powering a pair of Totem Staff speakers and do most of my listening with digital lossless media (ALAC, FLAC) output from a Mac mini and using Audirvana.

I certainly do not consider myself an audiophile but I do enjoy good sounding music. Do you think upgrading my DAC would be beneficial? I wasn't wanting to spend too much on a DAC but was wondering if something like the Schiit Modi multibit, Topping D50 or comparable would provide a better/different sound?

Thanks in advance and look forward to your comments.

downingp01-29-2021 11:00pm

...
24 posts total
View entire discussion

arafiq Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,666 posts 01-30-2021 at 12:09am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Agree with @erik_squires. Your existing DAC is quite good at that price point. I owned a Topping dac and I can tell you that you won't hear any improvement. Have not heard the Schiit DAC.
jaytor Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 765 posts 01-30-2021 at 12:39am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I also think you're better off waiting until you can justify spending a bit more. While the Modi Multibit MAY be a bit better than the internal DAC, I doubt it would be much of an improvement. There are a number of DACs that retail closer to $1000 that are very nice (I'm a fan of Denafrips and their Aries II is $800 or so, but there are a lot of other options). You might be able to find one of these used in the $500 to $600 range that would be a noticeable improvement over what you have now.
fuzztone Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 5,600 posts 01-30-2021 at 12:44am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Better off getting a streamer first. You will get a bigger SQ bump for the buck.
raysmtb1 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 800 posts 01-30-2021 at 02:03am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I’ve had Lumin D2,mcintosh mytek BB , Blunote and PS Audio frankly they were all crazy close that couldn’t pick one over the other in a blind test
thyname Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3,107 posts 01-30-2021 at 02:17pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Hey @raysmtb1 —- you keep posting the same thing on DACs everywhere. The fact that YOU were unable to hear any difference between DACs does not mean there is none. To the OP: I highly doubt a cheap external China DAC will improve upon your built in DAC in your Rotel. Either stay with what you have, or spend quite a bit more to hear any improvements.