Needing DAC Advice
My main, current system is a Schiit Urd through a Benchmark DAC3 B through a Schiit Freya+ (running in passive mode exclusively - I haven't even tried the tube output), to Pass Labs X150's to Martin Logan SL3's (and a couple of rythmik subs).
When I 'listen' to music, I listen to CD's or vinyl. I don't stream - too many places for signal compromise in the streaming chain for my tastes and, more importantly, I'm vehemently opposed to paying a provider who profits by paying artists virtually nothing for their content. When I can, I buy physical media directly from the artists I want to hear.
A brief description of my pathway to here: the best-sounding system (for me) I've ever had was a modded Wadia 831 direct to a Pass Lab amp to ML's. (I'm a less is more adherent). I replaced the Wadia, as it was getting long in the tooth and I was worried about service, with an Oppo BDP105, then a modded 105D, again, directly driving the amps. Decent, but not the magic of the Wadia.
Which brings me to today - a transport and DAC. After much research, I went with the URD (because of the transport) through the Benchmark .I added the Freya+ in case I want to add vinyl to this system and the fact that the Freya is a 3-in-1 preamp. (I've got another, tube-based system for vinyl).
And here's the issue. The system is not a terribly musical-sounding set up. It 'sounds' very good: great detail, fast, big soundstage, blah, blah, blah...All those adjectives we regularly throw around. It's very 'there'! Sounds better than with the Oppo. But it is not...engaging? No soul?
I'm thinking it's the DAC. Maybe I'm just might not be a fan of Sabre or DS in general. Maybe I need try an R2R DAC. So, I started looking: Border Patrol, Denefripes, Mojo Audio, MHDT Orchid, HoloAudio, Lab 12, or even the Schiit Yggy.. Some of these add tubes which I'm not sure I want to do unless they can be bypassed (much as I love tubes, I'm not sure a DAC is the right place to use them.) Finally, before I go down the DAC rabbit hole, I will give the Freya tube output some serious listening, just in case tubes are the missing link. Otherwise, my questions are do you think that R2R is directionally correct and, if so, what suggestions/recommendations might you have? Thanks and I apologize for the length but I'm well aware that more detail I can provide upfront, the more useful your responses are likely to be.
zlone
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Have you considered changing your listening position? Looks like tonality is greatly affected by distance to the speaker according to Stereophile (https://www.stereophile.com/content/martinlogan-sl3-loudspeaker-measurements-part-2)
Personally, I would take that budget and spend it on speakers. My preference is to make sure the electronics are as transparent as possible and find speakers that match my sonic taste.
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I used to own Benchmark DAC 3 HGC and it is a matter of fact type of presentation - a bit cold and sterile. I stream but I tried the M3 with Audiolab 6000CDT transport and was blown away by the sound quality which prompted me to get a very good and not very cheap streamer to match CD. Hope this helps… |
I think you're on the right track of sending the CD output to a high quality DAC. Consider Jay's Audio CD + DAC. Very musical and engaging. My current DAC is the Rockna Wavedream Signature, which you should be able to find for around $5K if you're open to pre-owned. It has a lot of inputs and could take the USB or SPDIF signal from the Schiit piece. The Rockna is very lively and dynamic and will provide excellent detail. I also have the Wavedream NET server, which has a nice CD transport. It only does Redbook CDs though. I have a small collection of SACDs and wanted to be able to enjoy those. I still have an Oppo 203 that I rarely use. I purchased an HDMI to i2s converter and used the HDMI out on the Oppo to connect to the Rockna DAC. The Rockna has 2 i2s inputs, and I can use the Oppo as a transport into the Rockna DAC. That combination was a huge improvement on the DAC in the Oppo. As far as R2R versus other types of DACs, at the end of the day it all depends on the implementation. Having said that, I like the idea of FPGA which allows upgrades over time. I have a MHDT Labs Orchid, which is a very "analog" sounding DAC and easy to listen to, but I don't think it would provide the type of listening experience you're looking for.
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