2. digital
  3. 182411-157137

Considering A New Streaming DAC (Pick 1 of 4)

Hi Folks, The four under consideration are Weiss 501/502, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Aurender A20, and Bricasti M1. Anyone of these will feed a signal into a Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme preamp before going to a Pass XA 30.8 and out to a pair of Audio Note AN/K's ("mildly effecient" at 90 db). The K's are in a fairly large room (26x12). I currently have a Lampizator Amber 4 (bal w/vc) and do like how it sounds in this system, but wish to at least explore a one box option. Although I do stream (N100H) most of my "front end" time is spent either with a Macinstosh MR88 digital tuner or an Audio Note level 2 CD transport. I'm interested about folks preferences or experiences with any of these four DAC's taking into account my front end usage and existing system. I've also looked at the possibility of keeping my streamer and upgrading the tube DAC in the form of Totaldac or BAT Rex. Any thoughts on this are welcome.

scottya118
yyzsantabarbara
4,888 posts
 

I have a Lumin X1 streamer with fibre. I would use the DAC's mentioned in the OPs choices with fibre converted to USB. I find it interesting that GTT (distributor of Mola Mola) used to demo the Tambaqui with an external streamer and not the built-in Ethernet streamer. 

My long sold KRELL K-300i integrated (a great unit) had a built-in Ethernet streamer and it was not as good as using fibre converted to USB.

The built-in Ethernet is convenient, but my 3rd choice after fibre, USB, and then Ethernet.

 

 

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,807 posts
 

we sell a lit if dacs and streamers 

 

we sell bricasti naim Aavik Aqua hifi and 432evo servers 

please reach out to our office for a conversation about these devices

 

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect  nj

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,182 posts
 

I’m running the Bricasti M3 as a one box solution with Roon and like it a lot. So I’m partial to Bricasti. I also use the XA30.8. Both the Bricasti and the Pass sound better when run with XLR cables. Just wanted to mention this to you. Your other choices might be fine single ended, don’t know.

Your other option if you only have digital as a source, is to ditch the preamp and run a better DAC, something like the Bricasti M21 direct into the XA30.8. The preamp in the Bricasti is excellent. Super low noise floor, transparent, dynamic.
Just a thought.

rsf507
2,328 posts
 

Agree with @audphile1 love my Bricasti M3 but if I could have afforded it I would have bought the Bricasti M21. Beautifully made in the USA and not solid state sounding nor tube sounding just musical sounding.

yyzsantabarbara
4,888 posts
 

I was considering the Bricasti M12 but the lack of fibre input and the desire for less streamer boxes made me go with the Lumin instead. It has to be fibre for me. I was going to use the X1 direct-to-amp (CODA #16), but I found out I liked my Benchmark LA4 preamp in the chain. So, the X1 stays in the office, and I am now looking at the Lumin P1 for my Livingroom (it also has fibre).

Selling my DACs and streamers to go Lumin.

 

 

More to discover