2. digital
  3. 1312062331

Best sounding DAC with a Rega Apollo

Need some input from Rega Apollo owners who use a DAC with this player. I have owned the Apollo for over two years, and like it alot, except for the clumsy top loading feature.... And, it is a also tad bright. Considered the musical Fidelity V-DAC,and their more expensive M-1 DAC

Recommedations for this DAC/player interface don't have to be the most expensive, just the best sounding with the best synergy. I am switching out Apollo IC's to a Chord Company Chameleon Plus which comes highly recommeded. I also switched out the Apollo's standard PC to Shunyata Diamondback PC several months ago from Music Direct on a closeout. It's OK; but I have been recommended the Acoustic Zen Tsumai Plus PC

The Apollo is hooked into a Bel Canto PRe3 pre-amp which is hooked to Red Dragon digital mono blocks driving Acoustic Zen Adagios with AZ's Hologram 2 speaker cable

BTW I know nothing about digital cabling or Toslink, etc, etc so will need some help there also Thank you, Jim
sunnyjim
ricred1
2,058 posts
 
I have a Rega Apollo and just added the Audio Research DAC7. Adding the DAC7 to my system was significant. I don't know if the Apollo is that bad or the DAC7 is that good, but the soundstage, low end, and any other audiophile term you would like to throw in has been improved. I want to compare my Apollo to a dedicated transport to see if I can hear any differences. I will let you know.
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,796 posts
 
Hi Ricred,

Just curious ... what made you add a $3500 DAC to a $1000 cd player? For those dollars, I would expect a significant change ... but do you feel you now have the equivalent of a $5k unit

Thanks,

Rich
facten
2,888 posts
 
I don't have an Apollo,but my experience with an Arcam CD72 has been that whether I've used a PS Audio Digi Link 3, Stello DA220MK2, or Audio Note 1.1 DAC, and then the Arcam as a transport that they all added better presence, dynamics, soundstage, etc. (Using the Stello presently with it).

(In my main system I use a Blue Circle BC509 DAC and Stello CDT 100 transport)
ricred1
2,058 posts
 
Rar1

I didn't pay $3500 for the DAC7. I do everything in stages and after much discussion with my dealer, based on what I wanted to spend, my current equipment, and what my weakest link was, the DAC7 was the best option(didn't want to spend 5K on DAC8). In the future I plan on comparing the Apollo to different transports. If I can hear a difference with-in my price range I will sell the Apollo.

I don't know if it's equivalent to a 5K unit, because I haven't compared the two. I know adding the DAC7 more than served its purpose and provided me the flexibility to try PC audio.
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
I know you may of heard this before
But I would get your speakers off the Roller wheels level and spike your speakers first.
Something better in a Transport /dac may not register
as better with you until this takes place.
Your system set up this way will continue to blur the transients.
By doing this your whole systems clarity will suffer.
Best Johnnyr
More to discover