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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.

 

 

128x128mintakax
ddgtt's avatar
ddgtt
70 posts
 

From my experience, the Mola Mola Tambaqui will be your biggest bang for the buck.  You've already got Roon, which is essential. In order to take full advantage (full resolution) of DSD files you'll need to go into the Tambaqui with USB. The Tambaqui does sound great however with AES/EBU and S/PDIF.

hysteve
88 posts
 

@mintakax

Precisely, I don’t have a DSD library.

mintakax's avatar
mintakax OP
10 posts
 

Thanks everyone for all your helpful advice!  Hopefully I'll be able to make a move late next week. If the pre-owned Tambaqui is still available, I'll probably start there and post the results. 

tonyrox's avatar
tonyrox
32 posts
 

I've had Parsound, Pro-Ject and have settled on Benchmark DAC3.  The DAC3 has some unique technology, an astounding SN ratio, and just sounds right.

"In most D/A conversion systems, intersample peaks cause overloading of the upsampling interpolators and digital filters that are found in all sigma-delta converters. When overloads occur, bursts of non-harmonic distortion are produced. These bursts of high-frequency distortion may occur many times per second and may add a false brightness and harshness to the sound. This defect impacts PCM formats but does not impact 1-bit DSD formats. The absence of intersample clipping may explain some people's preference for DSD. The DAC3 delivers clean PCM conversion that meets or exceeds the clarity of DSD."

rikkipuu's avatar
rikkipuu
280 posts
 

I agree with @pwoodard922  a used Lampizator is what you are asking for:

"My hope is for more resolution, more musicality, less high frequency fatigue, tighter bass."

If you can find a DHT model like the Big7 or Goldengate it ticks all your boxes.  

My DAC path was first a Schitt Yggdrasil to a W4S DAC2 DSD SE to a Denafrips Terminator to a TerminatorPlus (with IRIS) to a Lampizator Goldengate which I sent back to Poland for the Engine11P upgrade which was a huge leap of faith because I did not think the DAC could be improved but I was very wrong.  Its been over a year and I can't imagine ever moving on from the Lampizator.  

I was pretty happy (I thought) with the TerminatorPlus and bought the Goldengate on a bit of a whim (that's Freudian for a subconscious doubt of my happiness) and I'm glad I listened to my doubts.

I'll write it again, it ticks all the boxes you are looking for and more.  

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