Best DAC for Sonos

I have several Sonos zones in my home. I use a W4S Dac1, a Cambridge Dac Magic, and a PS Audio PWD in another.. Use the best or most appropriate Dac for the system your using it in. Also if you plan on using it with really good gear consider getting the Cullen re-clocker mod done to it.

Cymbop and Erikminer thanks for the responses.

Good question! I picked up a used Cullen-modded ZP80 a couple months ago to play with while I decided on a more permanent DAC/streamer solution (I had been using a purpose-built headless PC into a Benchmark DAC1 USB). I'm still feeding the DAC1 with the Sonos via an Audioquest Hawkeye coax but I'm basically on the same search you are. That said, I don't find the Benchmark particularly "harsh" as some do with my Crimson SS amps/pre and Sonus Faber Cremona Auditors. Still, I'm looking for an "upgrade".

A number of the guys working at my semi-local dealer (PS Audio, Audio Research, Krell) use and are very pleased with the Sonos into the PS Audio Link iii.

I've been considering the PWD, Weiss Dac2, Audio Note Kits 3.1, Redwine Isabellina and others but can't seem to make up my mind.

The Sonos has a high level of jitter on the S/PDIF output. In light of that, you will probably want to select a dac that handles jitter well, whether through ASRC, reclocking, or whatever. Another option is to lower the Sonos' jitter by getting Cullen to mod it, as others have suggested.

Either way, I would consider minimizing the effects of jitter an important consideration in your decision.

Bryon

I am in the same process. Slow process for me. In addition to researching here on Audiogon, there is a ong thread on Sonos forums related to your issue.

http://forums.sonos.com/showthread.php?t=18305

Not sure if links are allowed. Sorry if not.