DAC recommendation for DSD input
Hello-- 80% of my listening is streaming local DSD (64-256) files via Roon. My current system is Roon Core on an iMac Pro making its way to a Sonore Optical Rendu which is connected, via USB to the DAC in my Hegel H390 integrated which feeds Magico A3 speakers and a pair of REL S/510 subs.. There is nothing at all objectionable to my current system, nonetheless, I am wondering if an external DAC might be an improvement over the H390's DAC and if that is a worthwhile spend. I am space constrained so I must stick with an integrated (pre+amp), but do have space for a DAC and the Rendu system.
I have spent hours researching many of the newer and older DACS, including the cheaper "Chifi" DACS (Topping, Gustard R26 and X26iii), T+A 200 DAC, PS Audio Direct Stream MKi2 and Mola Mola Tambaqui (used) and other DACs in-between (Denefrips Pontus and Terminator, Holo May, Wyred for Sound 10th anniversary, etc).
I would rather spend $5k-$10K for a significant improvement as opposed to $1K-$4K for no or a slight improvement. My hope is for more resolution, more musicality, less high frequency fatigue, tighter bass. Is it unrealistic to expect that an external DAC will bring a significant improvement?
My system is in a decent room, but there is little to no choice in speaker placement or room treatment opportunities.
I have a chance to audition the T+A 200 DAC and the Direct Stream MK2. In a previous system, I had an MSB Discrete stack which was nice, but I'm not sure that would be the worth the cost today.
What type of DAC (chip based, FPGA, R2R, OS/NOS) is more structured to DSD input? I've almost ruled out R2R, but could be mistaken? The deeper I look, the more confused I get.
Thanks for any recommendations or advice.
@joshua43214-- I just found out that the optical connection has been removed from the SGC SonicTransporter I9. From Andrew at SGC:"We removed the fiber network connection from the sonicTransporter i9. We found using the latest version of our Ethernet switch or an opticalModule sounds a bit better" In that case a ST I5 is probably what I will buy. |
@silverfoxvtx1800 - I really had no issue with the Tambaqui and I could certainly understand why so many enjoy it in their systems. I perceived it as being super clean but not bright or etched. It displayed good power and good extension in the high frequencies while providing well-defined, impactful bass. Comparatively, my NOS R2R DACs seem more expressive in the midrange frequencies, more full-sounding but just as powerful in the low frequencies, and provide a bit more tonal color and body, IMO. If somebody said those NOS DACs are not as strictly faithful to the source, I wouldn’t argue as I suspect the Tambaqui is very faithful to the source. Unfortunately, I did not own the ultraDigital at the same time I had the Tambaqui and so I was unable to feed it through its I2S input, which I was told by a dealer is superior to the other inputs (just their opinion). @mintakax - Ultimately, I decided to stick with the Mojo Audio NOS R2R DACs that I already owned - the Mystique EVO Pro (mine had the special AD1862Z chips) and the Mystique X SE NCZ (designating nano-crystalline chokes and 1862Z chips). I later added a Merason DAC1 MkII, which was also a very nice sounding DAC and smooth/refined but slightly less enjoyable to me than my Mojo Audio DACs. At this time, I still have the Mystique X SE NCZ, but have sold the EVO PRO and the Merason, and I have been pondering where I might go from here while still sticking with NOS R2R topology DACs (i.e., totaldac, MSB, CAD 1543, others?). You can read my thoughts about comparisons between several DACs in this thread. |
+1 @xwfalcon @mitch2 on the Tambaqui. It is excellent and has a very stable resale price. It is very resolving but not bright, and benefits from a good steamer. I think OP can improve things by eliminating the Macbook Pro vs a dedicated streamer. Computers run so much other functions they are noisy. I am no an optical fan either, preferring a good switch with LPS . I found the Grimm MU1 a perfect match for the Tambaqui, and it runs Roon Core, so that eliminated a bunch of stuff vs my old Ron Nucleus. However, I am not sure the Grimm is optimized for DSD, as it excels in its upsampling of lower resolution files. But on the plus side, it really makes non DSD files sound great. I also recommend the Auralic Aries with the Tambaqui. I had an Aurender N20 in for a spell, but did not choose it. |
@fastfreight i havr Lumin U2 for a streamer and with the Tambaqui I am very happy with my digital side of the system so much so I need to upgrade analog side as it has fallen behind |
@mitch2-- Thank you. I am impressed with your knowledge and experience regarding DACs. @fasrfreight-- Thanks, I just purchased the Optical Rendu a few weeks ago, mainly because the Hegel H390 had a low res network input (DSD64 only) and the Rendu would permit me to use the USB input. There seemed to be a pretty noticeable improvement in the SQ and I've been happy with it. My Roon Core is on an iMac Pro, not a MacBook Pro and the only app running on is the Roon Core. Nonetheless, I agree that a dedicated server would be an improvement. I could go the SGC SonicTransport route but I'm just not feeling that. I know a lot of people are happy with the ST/OR combo. In researching other servers or server/streamer devices, I'm finding the OR to be redundant and its inclusion seems to limit the choices for dedicated servers. Yet, the idea of abandoning it so soon after buying is disagreeable. Can you or anyone recommend a server (other than SGC ST) that would improve the digital front end as well as make use of the OR? What about an Innuos Zen Mini MK3 ? Also, what is it about optical that causes you not to be a fan?
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