I’m running N200 with PS Audio DSD MkI now. Bricasti M3 was the DAC I had prior to the PS Audio. Both DACs preformed extremely well with the N200. I’m using AQ Diamond USB cable.
I haven’t heard the DSD MkII but the sound of the MkI is natural, resolving and not analytical at all. Relaxed and laid back. Great texture in the bass. I’m assuming the MkII retains the house sound and improves on everything at the same time. I’ve not heard the T+A DAC 200 so I can’t say if you will like it or not. But I’m 100% sure either of the DACs will be a step up from the in built module.
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My apologies for not being clearer. I think the DAC200 and PS Audio to be competitors. The Mac was the outlier - sorry for the confusion. As I noted, I haven’t heard the PS Audio unit, but understand it to be quite good. I’ve owned or auditioned comparably priced DACs from Auralic, Simaudio and Linn Organik. I’ve also auditioned much more expensive DACs from Linn, Ideon and T+A’s reference series (though I didn’t try DSD on that unit because I didn’t know then what I know now). On PCM files, the DAC200 was similar in performance to the others (very good, different, but not necessarily better or worse). It wasn’t until I fed it DSD files (I have a processor that let’s me convert all files to DSD) that I noticed the benefits claimed by T+A of having a separate true 1 bit processing path for DSD. On those, the T+A pulled ahead of everything else I had compared it to anywhere near its price. You can use HQ player software to accomplish the same thing. If you don’t have a dealer to work with, I can comfortably recommend you reach out to Juan @blisshifi. His guidance was particularly helpful to me and he’s not pushy in the least. One of the good guys. As @soix notes, there is a lot of good competition at this price point to consider that might be an even better fit for you, depending on what you’re looking for. For me, I can gladly say the positive reviews and chatter about the DAC200 proved true. On DSD, it’s very, very good. As always, YMMV so a home audition is a must. Best, |
I haven’t heard the PS Audio DSD Mk II, but I had a very heavily modified MK I as I was one of those on the PS Audio Forums that made every improvement possible, including the upgraded Edcor transformers, external power supply board with a Farad Super3 Linear Power Supply, EMI protective sheeting, etc, all which made very big improvements. The DSD MK II was based on many of these improvements. When I became a T+A dealer months after, the DAC 200 easily surpassed my modded DSD MK I. That’s all I can say about that, though I know PS Audio continues to release firmware upgrades to their MK II. I can’t comment on that particular McIntosh unit, but I haven’t been impressed with any McIntosh DAC I’ve come across. |
Thanks all - these are good thoughts. I am amidst a car restoration project, so just refining my game plan until I have disposable funds for this purchase. I am thinking I will need to purchase both the DAC200 and PSA DS MkII, audition in home, and return one or the other dependent on best system fit. The idea of converting all my PCM files to DSD would be a bit of a step backward in the journey since I really do like my Aurender N200 (especially now that it is becoming Roon compatible), so working very well with PCM as the "feed stock" is probably a criteria I should have mentioned. Thanks again everyone. |
I think you have a good plan for this. I thought I would mention that you may very well find the DAC200 spectacular on PCM with your Aurender unit. Many do. There are so many variables. The quality of the streamer (you have a very good one), and input source on your DAC (s/pdif, AES, USB) and quality of your network in front of your source all make a difference. I mention these things so you are not dissuaded from trying the DAC200. PCM was very good - and I was comparing it to another $7500 DAC and a $10,000 DAC in PCM. In my system - because I could - DSD was better. Good luck with your car restoration. We hope you come back to this thread and let us know what you found. Best, |
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