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Got Innuous, now a DAC

I worked with the Music Room and purchased an Innuous Zen Mk3. I remember five years ago when I started building my system, I heard many say streamers don’t matter. Well they do. I thought my BS Node 2i was good with the after market power supply. The Innuous kicked dirt in the face of the BS. The Innuous forced me to use USB which probably helps as well. And an added benefit: NO MORE SOFTWARE ISSUES. Yay! Qobuz internet interface is great. The sound of Qobuz is so good it made my $400 BT speakers sound better.

The Music Room associate said I will see another step improvement. I have looked around. I think R2R might be a good try. I would characterize my system as neutral. I have eliminated most glare or listening fatigue. But I don’t know what I don’t know.

I would like to keep this under $2000. Here are some that I found.

Denafrips Pontus 12 $1500

Ali express Denafrips 15 $1518 plus ship

Aqua La Voce. ???

Ayre Dx9. I think these are old but have good rep. I think it s Delta Sigma

Chord ??

Gustard. R26 mixed reviews

Bel Canto ???

i will not be updating amp and preamp. Thank you in advance.

The brands are exploding, but thank you in advance for your suggestions. 

 

128x128daledeee1
sns
3,390 posts
 

I agree with need to look at higher grade dacs with that streamer. Laiv Harmony is wonderful dac, Musetec 005 may also fall in your budget area. Both have configurable I2S pin settings if you went DDC route.

jrareform
21 posts
 

I've recently had the pleasure of listening to several DACs around your price range and above.  In my opinion the Gustard R26 was way better than the holoaudio cyan 2 in my system.  The Holoaudio has insanely revealing top end but the mids are so flat and unrealistic.  The gustard is more even across the entire frequency spectrum and maintains way more warmth while still providing a ton of detail.  If you're smart, you'll order multiple in your price range and sell or return what you don't like.  Or if you have a hifi store nearby, borrow some demo models.  The best DAC I tried by far was the T&A D200.  Imo just use that as streamer and DAC.  Can get a used one for less than 5k rn and it is leaps and bounds above the other DACs you listed.  Good luck to you!! 

jonwolfpell
407 posts
 

I have an Innuos Zenith & had a Border Patrol which was very nice & musical if not the most detailed & refined as better ones. I tried a few including the latest PS Audio Direct Steam which was quite good in some ways but was strangely noisy at times. I even had them send me a second unit w/ the same strange & annoying results. I settled on a Bricasti M1 Series II which is more costly but sounded so good, I had to go with it. I don’t replace equipment very often so I go w/ the best stuff I can afford at the time.
 

The Bricasti is dead silent, black background, very dynamic w/ a huge enveloping image & no fatigue. The quality of construction seems rock solid &  build just about every part used including their transformers other than the circuit boards which are made next door. Their model 3 is of similar quality for half the price & might be a good consideration. 

airwatcher's avatar
airwatcher
8 posts
 

Chord Qutest! In my system it was transformative.

ethereal_beats's avatar
ethereal_beats
5 posts
 

I would add the Border Patrol Dac to your list at your price point. There has always been a synergy between Innuos and Border Patrol, and both brands build around the quality of their power supplies. Gary Dews at Border Patrol also sells Innuos products. The Border Patrol SE-i is a refined, natural, human-sounding DAC that is not fatiguing. I use that with my Innuos Zenith as I wanted a streamer/dac to match my Esoteric transport and Audio Note Dac combo.  
   

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