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."
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.
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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. |
@mintakax I have a HEGEL H160 in a second system and when I added an inexpensive Schiit Audio Bitfrost DAC, it made a clear improvement. It was very impressive. I’m not suggesting you buy a Bitfrost DAC, I’m just answering your question, would an external DAC make an improvement in your system? It did in my system. I have an integrated amp in my main system and I bought a used MSB Discrete DAC with (2) power supplies for $7.5k. You did mention this particular MSB DAC and questioned the price. I understand that and that’s why I bought it used and it made a big improvement over the Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC that I had, which was very nice as well. It would be nice if you had a dealer loan you a DAC to demo at home. In my experience, the components I’ve demoed at home sounded better than they did at the dealer. It’s a fun journey in this hifi game! |
@mintakax The advice you have received is all excellent. I was in a similar position and looked at several of the ones recommended here. I found the Tambaqui less 'musical' than I wanted, but it was nearly my choice. The T+A 200 was another almost choice. It was not as detailed as I desired. I did not try to the PS Audio because I had the Mk. 1 and I did not like how the software upgrades changed the DAC profile. The Chord Dave with the M-Scaler was way too bright. I wanted to try the Weiss 501, but could not find one I could test in my system, other than from The Music Room and I had just returned another item. I really did not want to try it and return it. I ended up with the Bricasti M1S2 which I did buy from the Music Room. I tried the earlier model in my system (M1SE from a friend) and loved it. The M1S2 was even better. What I especially like about it are the filter options. One option sounds just like the Chord Dave and another like the Tambaqui. I find I do change the filter depending the choice of music. It is like having multiple high end DACs all in one unit. The Streamer option is a big choice. I went with Innuos, but may be looking elsewhere down the road. |
Try the Bricasti M21 DAC. It has multiple paths for conversion to analog including 1-bit DSD. Here is a link to the literature |
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