I second the recommendation for T+A 200 DAC. It's just unbeatable at that price for DSD performance and sounds pretty amazing with an added advantage of an analog preamp built in.
New DAC, what should I look for?
I currently have a PSA DirectStream Mk1 (modified with APS output transformers and external power supply). Nothing wrong with it at all, but it's the oldest components I have and I'm thinking I may want to try something different. Budget is ~5k used
The sound profile that I'm looking for is smooth and spacious. Yes, details are nice, but I can compromise somewhat on that to gain smoothness and spaciousness.
The rest of my system consists of PureAudioProject Trio15Classic driven by MasterSound Compact 845. Streamer is Holo Audio Red and Small Green Computer i7 is taking care of the Roon/HQPlayer duties. All cables are Silversmith
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I third the recommendation for the T+A DAC 200. @audiojan you have 2 reasons for going with the T+A - HQ Player and Holo Red. That is an amazing setup for the T+A DAC where one gets to experience pure DSD streams. A used T+A should be within your budget. BTW, in your current setup, do you keep the SGC i7 out of the audio room? |
For features, I would make sure it has: An excellent, linear power supply; I2S input, DSD512 and 32b/768k capability. Balanced and RCA outputs. The DAC chip seems to be either not relevant or critical, depending on who you speak with. At the moment R2R DACS and ESS 9038Pro are the big two, but it's all about implementation. I'd add OCXO clock, FIFO buffer, FPGA controller and a 10k clock input, One thing I'd consider: DAC's are still evolving rapidly. I'm not sure I'd spend 5k on something that might be old-tech in a few years. The 3k LAIV and Denafrips Venus 15 seem to fit the bill. |
It’s not a question about whether people are "entitled" to their opinion, right? I mean, that’s like saying they’re "entitled to their left hand." This is about whether there is a way of testing so they can *verify* whether they actually hear a difference or they are fooling themselves. Are people "entitled to fool themselves"? Yes, in the same way they are entitled to their left hand, their opinion, etc. I went back and forth many times, controlling for variables, each time I changed DACs. I could hear a difference. I had friends change the DAC while I was blindfolded. Many trials. Then we switched roles. We all heard differences. Not perfect science but not just guessing, either. |
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