2. amps-preamps
  3. 161822-153106

Penafrips, MHDT Labs DACs versus Integrated amps for home office

Carrying this over from another discussion.  Apologies for being verbose, but...  I am on the hunt for DAC and amp combo with awesome sound quality and would appreciate any thoughts. I have a 10x10 ft home office, which I spend many work and after hours in. So, I have been trying to upgrade my sound, but am not able to invest gazilllions. I stream Tidal MQA and HiFi via USB from my MacbookPro using Tidal's app.  I listen via speaker, no headphone, no vinyl.  

I want wide & deep soundstage, clarity, and great sound at lower volumes. "3D soundstage", "holographic", etc.

Here's what I have so far. (amps will be in a bake off)
  • Canton Vento 830.2 speakers (very "revealing")
  • Peachtree Nova 300 integrated (with internal DAC)
  • Cambridge Audio Azur 851A integrated amp (but no internal DAC)
  • NuPrime IDA-8 with internal DAC

I love the Peachtree so far, but want to give the Cambridge a fair shot, which requires that I buy a DAC (less than a $1000-$1200 if possible). The loser of this bakeoff will be for sale as soon as I decide...

So, For DACs, after countless rabbit hole hours researching, I think that I have narrowed it down to the Penafrips Ares 2 (cannot afford the Pontus) and MHDT Istanbul (cannot afford the Orchid or Pagoda). Cannot afford the Chord QUTest either.   But open to suggestions!

I had also considered the RME ADI-2 DAC but I am afraid that it would be too sterile/harsh/fatiguing with my Canton speakers... (the NuPrime IDA-8 is awesome, but it was fatiguing and wimpy bass with my speakers unless turned up pretty loud). So, it is not a match, and I fear that the RME might be similar.  But who knows...

Hence my interest in the power supply of the Cambridge (class XD) to compare against the Peachtree's, as well as the Penafrips and MHDT hooked up to the Cambridge to compare with the Peachtree (class D) and its internal DAC.  Of course, I'd try one of the externals with the Peachtree just to compare... 

In summary, I want wide & deep soundstage, clarity, and great sound at lower volumes but will kick it up on occasion. "3D soundstage", "holographic", etc.  

Any comments and advice on this would be immensely helpful!  I am research fatigued...

Cheers!

bogbeat
mesch
3,419 posts
 
Jolida makes a DAC with tube output stage that is highly thought of. I believe it is within your budget. 

I might add that, once I had a system I enjoyed, I began the upgrade path with the digital source which made for significant improvement. Then I went for speakers. Now rethinking amplification. 

More than one way to get there. Enjoy the journey.
bogbeat OP
33 posts
 
Thanks a lot mesch.  Looking forward to the journey! You sent me on a journey today with this Jolida/Black Ice thing.  Looks promising.  Just difficult to find out much about them. 

Side point: I saw on their website that Jolida is/was in Brookville, MD. and totally by cosmic chance I was apparently 3 minutes from them today visiting a relative of my wife's.  

Enjoying the journey, and everyone's discussion here.  Have a great evening.
bogbeat OP
33 posts
 

Hi everyone, 

Update and advice please on evolving my starter system.  I am trying to determine my next move…  Integrate tubes into the equation? New integrated? External DAC? Etc.

In terms of “impact”/bang for buck, any advice from you all on making a strategic investment(s). Your sage thoughts please, and any brands and models of equipment recommendations as well would be greatly appreciated. New, used, it is all good.

Budget is approx. $1500-$2500 for this project.

My system and environment currently after the bake off and a couple of additions.  Streaming, etc as in the OP.

  • Peachtree Nova 300 integrated amp & DAC
  • Black Ice FOZ SS-X Sound Stage Expander w/Amperex PQ 7316 AU7 tube.  (The FOZ SS-X is connected to the Peachtree using its awesome “Loop” function, and the FOZ AU7 tube adds some warmth/mellows the highs a bit, which has been a godsend)
  • Ascend Sierra 2ex speakers. (Also, dormant Canton Vento 830.2 speakers).  I am planning on keeping the Ascends for now.
  • Rythmik Audio L12 sub-woofer (coming soon)
  • 8’x10’ room (no room treatments as of yet) 


Some possible scenarios:

  • Add a tube pre-amp and continue to leverage Peachtree as DAC and power amp? E.g. Vincent SA-T7, Black Ice, Parasound, etc preamp?
  • Add a tube DAC to the equation and leverage existing Peachtree as pre and power amp? E.g. Denafrips, MHDT, Black Ice DACs
  • Use Peachtree as a pre-amp & DAC and add tube power amp?
  • Go tube integrated or hybrid integrated e.g. Black Ice F35, Rogue Sphinx v3, Vincent SV-237MK, etc.
  • Go with different solid state amp e.g. a Parasound HINT?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
yyzsantabarbara
4,587 posts
 
The preamp and DAC on my NOVA 150 were the weak links from my tests. It was a good unit for the price but I did compare the preamp, DAC, and amp separately and it was clear to me that the amp section was much better.

I currently have a pretty good tube DAC, the AudioMirror Tubadour III SE which costs close to $3K. I like my half the price Gustard X26 Pro DAC more. It has NOS and OS mode with 3 custom filters that one can differentiate. I also like the Gustard more than my Benchmark DAC3B.

At the moment I am using a D-Sonic M3a 800s amp. It cost $1500 and it is real good. It is has a bit of warmth and is better than the amp section of the NOVA.

The Gustard X26 Pro + D-Sonic is a compete digital system. Though I would always add the Benchmark LA4 preamp ($2500).
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
op

you are comtemplating changing numerous components

best you clarify what you feel is lacking from the sound your system produces and what are the priorities for improvement

many ways to spend money to upgrade... need to know specifically where you want to go with it

finally, i would say that if you are integrating a good sub to support nice satellite speakers, you should get that done first, note the change and go from there... this move, done right, can be transformative
More to discover