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Help me pick a Dac

Budget 4000

I currently have the latest version of the Bluesound Node and a PS Audio Stellar Gaincell Dac for the digital Frontend. I stream qobuz and flac from a networked drive.
The rest of system is a Backert Lab Rhumba 1.3 , Schiit aiger monos and Zu soul 6 speakers. Also have a Nottingham horizon turntable, Hana cart and Lehman Cube phono pre. I think the modest tt sounds more natural and holographic compared to my digital frontend so I think I can do better.
Also I’m pretty isolated as far as audio goes so I’ve only heard my own system and likely will have buy without an audition.

Stu

 

 

stu20
stu20 OP
7 posts
 

Thanks for all the input. Above my budget looking at the aurender a200as solution for the streamer as well.  
 

tweak1
3,545 posts
 

I was underwhelmed by the Stellar Dac/pre. I have a Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5 which is amazing. Absolute Sound did a great review. Do a search. One is FS on US Audiomart for $1100

hth

dwest1023
175 posts
 

Why not check out the schitt dac's since you have their amps? Plus they have 15 day trial.

stu20 OP
7 posts
 

@dwest1023 i like the amps but have had problems with other pieces from them. 
And the customer service reflects the lower price points. Just my take. 

mirolab
206 posts
 

I recently purchased both a Denafrips Ares II and a Schiit Bifrost 2.

I did NOT like the Ares at all, and I do love the Bifrost.

I also have a 10yr old Lynx Hilo, which sounds very nice, but very different from the Bifrost. Bifrost is more punchy & dynamic in the lows, sharper transients in the highs, but the Hilo sounds smoother through the mids, with a natural texture. Hilo also has A/D and had many routing functions... far more than just a DAC, it’s meant for studio use.

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