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Which DAC

Hi all-

I'm assisting my friend in setting up Sonos so she can stream Deezer (and perhaps Tidal when it becomes available on Sonos.)

Her current set up is is PMC Twenty.21 speakers with Exposure 2010s2 amp and cd player.

She will get the Wyred4Sound modified Sonos unit.

I am assuming it would be beneficial to run this Sonos into a DAC unit? The question is which one to steer her toward. I was thinking of three:

--the Arcam irDAC
--the Meridian Director
--Wyred4Sound's udac

Any thoughts about which direction to go here?

Also, I'm a newbie at this, but I am assuming the cabling would work like this:

Ethernet to Sonos; digital cable from Sonos to DAC; RCA cables from DAC to amplifier. Is that right?

And I'm thinking of Atlas cables since that is what PMC recommends with its equipment.

Any guidance appreciated. Happy Thanksgiving!
Margot
mcanaday
beewax
173 posts
 
I am also not audiophile by any means. I just enjoy good music. Since "she will get the Wyred4Sound modified Sonos unit".
It already have W4S/UDAC Built-in and she doesn't need another cable and DAC.
austinbob
235 posts
 
She will benefit from a good DAC via the Sonos coaxial output. Any of the DACs you mention are fine--I think the Arcam is a good DAC under $500. I used to own the Wyred4Sound modified Sonos and it was great but it will only output 24/96. Deezer is CD quality so that's fine.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"Why wouldn't distortion be additive? So that if one improved any stage that would provide a clearer sound."

Not always. You can also upgrade a component with something more clear and revealing, and amplify the flaws in other components.

Mcanaday,

I would call The Cable Company and have them send you some dac's and cables for demo. Doing that will eliminate all the guessing as to what will sound best.
theo's avatar
theo
2,674 posts
 
I have been using Sonos with the Rega Dac and have been very happy. I did try the Peachtree and Arcam and once I demonstrated the Rega it became apparent I needed to up my budget. Although now I am considering looking higher, Hegel, Bryston and others are on my radar for future A-B in home testing.
mcanaday OP
169 posts
 
Thanks, all, for your guidance. As far as starting with distorted sound, Tidal is supposed to be lossless streaming? It sounds like people are getting pretty good results with it? I am hoping that's true! with thanks, Margot
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