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How much should I spend on a new DAC

Hello Gents. What would be reasonable sum to spend on a new DAC relative to my current audio rig.

Speakers: Sonus Faber Olympica II

Integrated Amp: Pass Labs INT-25

DAC: Pro-Ject Dac Box S2+

Speaker Cables: Kimber 8VS Bi-Wire

Power cable: Kimber PK10 Base

Interconnects: Audioquest Tower

I must say I'm very happy with the music coming out of my speakers but It's obvious that the DAC is not the same league as the rest of the equipment.

celestial__sound
jasonbourne52's avatar
jasonbourne52
2,863 posts
 

Why do you think that the Pro-Ject DAC is limiting the sound quality of your system? If anything I would get rid of the Pass amp and get an amp with a lot more power, say 200wpc. The Pass's 25wpc is really limiting the dynamic capabilities of the Sonus Faber speakers!

vonhelmholtz
911 posts
 

Tough question because your streamer and DAC should work as a team, which means that they are musically synergistic.

celestial__sound OP
102 posts
 

@jasonbourne52 

Thank you for your replay. I couldn't agree with you. The pass labs make the biggest improvement in my listening experience. Previously owned class D Primare I35 prisma. The pass wiped the floor with the Primare in terms of Dynamics, Grunt, Authority, Soundstage. You really should listen to Pass amp(s) to see what am I talking about.  

 

 

celestial__sound OP
102 posts
 

@vonhelmholtz 

I'm also interested in all in one solution as well. The TEAC UD-701N seems like a good choice to me.

vonhelmholtz
911 posts
 

I really wasn’t referring to an all in one solution, but that would be one option.

I guess that a reasonable response would be how much are you willing to spend?  I suspect that your budget will determine the answer in that your system would probably benefit from a major upgrade to both your streamer and DAC.

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