DAC’s

My 2 cents. I recently bought,  at a great deal, the Meitner MA-1 DAC. Love it!!! It is just a DAC. Sounds GREAT.  I do not use a streamer. I have a Windows 10 based computer attached directly to the DAC, also connected via an Ethernet cable.  I currently stream Qobuz and also use  a Rs2T Project transport, with a LTA  Linear power supply, which also runs through the Meitner DAC, Incredible, ask Charles one Dad who has commented earlier.  I can't speak for the newest MA-3, but,, I'm sure it's top shelf. Meitner and EMM labs are at the top. If you can find an MA-1, Great. Then decide what streamer, if necessary you may prefer. Just my 2 cents. Robert TN

@thyname you are beyond redemption my friend.🤭

Those who say DACs don’t matter, zeroes and ones, I want to smoke what you are smoking. Or have tin ears. Or never listened to music. I would have saved myself a lot of money.

I do admit to liking vinyl, and with digital needing all the cords, power conditioners, etc. which the “everything makes a difference” crowd spruiks… that is one reason I prefer vinyl. It is a TT, Cart, phono stage and preamp.

I do not generally find streaming more than just easy listening.

 

It’s like those guys with a Chromecast Audio as a “DAC” who bitch about Analog sounding so much better than their Digital. Well… no shit.

OK…
We have suggestions of:

• $100 dongle 
• $1-2k DAC
• $7k DAC
• $20k + DACS

I do not think it is dishonourable for the OP to try and listen to that DAC before jumping in.

 

The MSRP of my DAC is $20,000. Esoteric N-01XD. Or it was when I bought it a couple of years ago.

 

Is this too bad? Can I be “saved”? 

You probably cannot be saved, but let’s assume that the OP got to listen to the DAC they are considering, and also your $20K one.

If there was a difference, then the $7k would also probably not be a good deal, if it is a temporary thing, and they could be better off just getting the $20k DAC.

I doubt that whatever amount it is, then one can argue that they should have spent more or less.. and especially so if they cannot hear a difference.

 

@richardmathes 

While I find it hard to judge much of a difference between a $10k DAC, $2k DAC or a $100 dongle… I am not sure I am going to be any better at judging people’s motivations and what they should be optimally doing with their money.

 

$10,000 for a DAC? Someone's priorities, i.e., the important ones, the social ones, are out of whack.

i suppose ”good for you to point out that there are options,” but:

• Which social issues in particular?
• And can $10k solve these social issues?
• And is it the OP’s responsibility to solve them?

 

 

“I use Roon with a Brinkmann Nyquist. I don't need a Roon Core. Only a subscription to Roon and the Brinkmann does the rest.”
@gdnrbob 

I am curious to know, how are you using ROON app without Core. The manufacturer description says Nyquist is Roon Ready or Tested. My understanding of ROON is you must have Core running on a server for ROON app to work properly. BTW, Nyquist DAC remains high on my wish list to audition someday. 

A Nyquist is a formidable DAC and the MK2 is really special but I don’t think it runs ROON core…