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What DAC to get?

I am currently running Audioquest’s Dragonfly Cobalt DAC and I do enjoy the single ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip’s quality. However, soon I want to upgrade to a standalone DAC. There are just so many and so many features that I can’t decide.

I would prefer to keep the cables I am running so that I won’t have to buy any other cable except a USB and a power cable. That alone has made the search a bit more difficult and I might have to eventually cave and get balanced cables if I want a high quality DAC.

At present I need to go out via USB to the DAC.  Then exit the DAC via 3.5 Stereo pin. It is possible to reverse this and go out RCA to 3.5 Stereo pin to the speaker.

I am not interested in portability. It can be a shelf unit. I want high resolving circuitry and of course a fantastic DAC chip or chips.

At present I am looking at the Schiit line of DACs. Some have recommended the Chord Hugo (II?).

If you had a system that is very sensitive and wanted to push it even further, what have you used?
guakus
jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
op

you seem to have done your homework on the digital feed, with usb cleaning etc... you may well have a good source set up out of your computer, run through the aq cleaner

as for the 3.5 mm analog output jack, you state you are trading that convenience against sound quality, so it is a trade off you accept (if 3.5mm analog out was preferred over standard stereo rca or xlr connections they would be widespread in home gear, obviously)

as for dac choices, i have written much about my journey through at this point 30-40 modern and older well regarded dacs over the last couple years, a quick search will yield those and other related postings made by me and others

wish you good luck on finding the right dac for you
guakus's avatar
guakus OP
352 posts
 
@yyzsantabarbara

I may have to agree. It fits my budget and has the primary DAC component that has the sound signature I like.  Thanks for that recommendation. :D

@jjss49

I hear you. It's just the cable I bought is only a month or so old and costs $800. I would hate to have to put it in the closet. However, I see the merit in abandoning the 3.5 stereo pin format in favor of a more robust connection method.  At present I am using the A2+ but plan on upgrading to the HD6.  Still no balanced connection method. So it does seem RCA-to-RCA is the likely method.
yyzsantabarbara
5,123 posts
 
@guakus The unit does go on sale sometimes for $1350 on this site where I got mine.

GUSTARD X26 PRO Full Decoding ES9038Pro*2 Chip DSD512 Bluetooth 5.0 X (shenzhenaudio.com)

guakus's avatar
guakus OP
352 posts
 
@yyzsantabarbara

Thanks again!  I think this one is the winner. I would get it right now at whatever price....but...I made promises and must wait 2 years :(
ghdprentice
8,113 posts
 
I highly recommend the Schiit Gungnir multibit or if at all possible the Yggdrasil. The are outstanding sound quality for their price and will set you up for significant improvements in the future by upgrading other components. I bought a Gungnir mb as a part of helping a friend get a new DAC. We got him a Yggdrasil. Both outstanding for the money.
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