DAC/Pre-Amp Advice

@vthokie83 

I have the Node 130. I was going to ask if using the USB 2.0 port would have been the best connection to the DAC.

@audioman58 

I appreciate the recommendation, I'm adding it to the list!

With that system adding room correction is a pain. I also don't like the idea of room correction for stereo sound.

+1 @travelinjack I’d focus on the other stuff first and then deal with room correction later.  @chuck_tamu Why do you feel you need room correction?  Where are your speakers situated in the room?  Often times experimenting with speaker placement can yield significant improvements, and it’s free!

OP, room correction is the real deal, I have a very well treated room which you need as room correction can’t do everything. When you add it to a well treated room it is WELL worth the cost of admission. Look at the graphs in my virtual system page. Here is just two channel graph, even before adding room correction I have a great room response but when you add the room correction WOW, I can just sit and listen on and on. When you A/B listen and compare corrected vs uncorrected you will never go back:

@soix 

The reason I wanted room correction stemmed from when I was auditioning different amps for my system. I went by a store that had an M33 set up with room correction, and they did an A/B listening experience, and it was one of the more mind blowing things I have listened to. The M33 was well outside my budget at the time, and there were some aspects of the sound that weren't my favorite, but listening to the difference in room correction made me a believer.

System is currently in a 13x20' room with about 10' tall ceilings. My seating position is approx 10-11' back from the speakers. I have the speakers toe'd in toward my seating position in the room. 

@kota1 

The proof is definitely in the pudding man. I think there are some aspects in audio that to someone like me would be more placebo than experience changing. But my ears definitely heard the difference in that demo, and it was incredible.

Chuck_Tamu, here are some recommendations.....these will al be R2R ladder DACs.

(1) Denafrips - Pontus II 12th Anniversary DAC $1,850. You will find many many reviews on this DAC, almost all of them glowing. Add  a Denafrips Iris DDC at $560, and you have a killer set up with the Node 130. This is the what I currently have (except I have the Pontus II and not the anniversary, and am extremely happy with it....especially at $2,400

Output USB from the Node 130 to the Iris DDC (bypassing the internal Node DAC), use I2S from the Iris DDC to the Pontus II 12th, and then from the Pontus to the Yamaha.

(2) I have never heard the Gustard in my system, so I can't offer an opinion.

(3) Soix already recommended Musician, and I have heard and enjoyed their DACs. I believe Soix uses the Pegasus with the Denafrips Iris DDC. I preferred the Pontus II over the Pegasus, both going through the Denafrips Iris DDC.

The Musician Aquarius is another animal entirely at $3,100. I compared the Pontus II and Iris DDC straight up against the Aquarius....and I must say that it was really close, the Aquarius is a rockstar. For some reason I did not add the Iris to the Aquarius, but my assumption is that it would be killer.

(4) Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE edition at $3,200. Another great DAC for the money. I lust after it's big brother the Holo Audion May DAC KTE.....but that is up at $5,600, and that brings a lot of other DACs into the mix

Hope that helps a little bit.