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Do I Need a New DAC?

Do I Need a New DAC?

Newbie here to seek advice on a new DAC with a budget of up to $2K

I am thinking about adding a new my DAC so my stereo setup can play a small collection of SACDs using a 4K DVD player.

Here is my current Stereo setup

CD Player: Emotiva ERC-1 (as a transport)

DVD Player: Sony UBP-X800M2

DAC: Monarchy Audio M33 DAC / pre-amp

Pre-amp: Audio Research SP-6E (I think)

Power-amp: Audio Research VT100 MIII

Speakers: KEF104.2 (re-capped; replaced ferrofluid)

Analog: SOTA Nova V, SME3009 III, Audio Technica AT440MLA cartridge

Interconnectors and speaker cables: DIY Gotham cable    

I have a decent collection of CDs (classical, jazz, and pop) that I listen to occasionally; I have no plan to rip and stream them for any time soon.

All the equipment except the DVD player have been with me for a while.  I am thinking about spending some money in the next several years to upgrade the DAC, the CD player, the pre-amp and the speakers in that order. 

The reason to add a new DAC as the Toslink In on the Monarchy M33 is broken and I cannot connect the Sony DVD player to the DAC (the digital In is currently connected with the CD player); also, I would like to get some updated technology on DAC. 

Based on web research, I am thinking about these DACs: Gustard R26, OKto Research, Soekris DAC2541, Schiit Yggdrasil + (a bit over budget), and Hegel HD30 DAC (used).  I have yet to hear the sound of any of these DACs.  I am OK with either new or used and open to other recommendations.

Shall I add a DAC or shall I forget about the SACDs (about 20 CDs); instead, buy a better CD player or save more money to buy a better pre-amp.  Not going to invest in a dedicated SACD player for now though.

Thank you very much for your time; looking forward to reading your comment.

junge
wturkey's avatar
wturkey
773 posts
 

Recently, I purchased a dac with a dead optical input. Popped the lid and wrote down the receiver number. This was an rx176. Ordered from Ali baba. Unsolder old part. Install new part and solder.
 

If uncomfortable doing that, parts connexion would “probably” do it. Also if the dac was in need of an upgrade they, probably, would perform that work as well. It’s nice to have options :-). 

pedroeb
493 posts
 

I've never found DAD/Blu-ray players are any good at CD/SACDs. Perhaps its due to the laser gap needs to be different.

I'd suggest you look at the Denon DCD-1700NE as an all in one solution. It plays CDs, SACDs, and you can even burn your HD files to DVD-r and it'll play them.

boomerbillone
356 posts
 

Hello Junge.  You do realize that the SACD is a multi channel medium, yes? Five channel anyway (front L & R, rear L & R, and center. Perhaps I missed it, but you don't mention having a multi channel playback system. The "universal" players should give you all those outputs and you shouldn't need an outboard DAC. Happy listening.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,119 posts
 

The Benchmark DAC 3 is good. I had the HGC version.
I also owned the Chord Qutest. If you don’t need AES input and XLR outs go for the Qutest. You can fine tune it and the sound using the orange warm filter is more liquid and engaging than the slightly cooler sound produced by the Benchmark.
Both are excellent DACs. The HGC version of the Benchmark DAC 3 has more features than the Qutest - headphone amp, adjustable gain XLR outs and preamp section, analog input.

laoman's avatar
laoman
444 posts
 

"I would buy the $900 Topping 90 "

I would avoid all things Topping. There are a number of sites, including ASR which promotes the Topping brand fanatically, where a good percentage of users complain about the quality of Topping products. They appear to be built to measure very well but do have quality control problems. The Gustard is far better.

Apart from the ones mentioned, I would look at the Sonnet Morpheus.

 

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