Jolida, Glass FX Tube DAC III vs Fusion DAC Pre


I am setting up a two channel system in a spare room in my new house. It will be 11 feet x 12 feet, carpeted. Most of my music is in digital (mp3, FLAC, etc) format. I plan on using my Windows computer as the "source". I may hook up a CD player or Phono at some point.

My amp will be a Parasound HCA-1500A, a solid state amp with 205 W/ch. This has more than enough power for the size room.

As far as speakers, I plan on going with bookshelfs, something in the $1500 range. I will probably look at something like the KEF LS-50s, Epos Elan 15, or something from Focal/JM Lab, PMC, PSB, B&W etc. Another option would be to steal the Meadowlark Kestrals from my home theater system.

The main question I have, is how to get the "music" from the digital source to the speakers. I don't want to spend more than about $1500 between PC out and AMP in.

All I really need is USB/Coax/SPDIF inputs, volume control, and RCA outs to the amp. I realize USB has a host of issues, so I would consider getting a USB/SPDIF converter such as the TeraLink X2, if that would help improve the sound.

I am leaning towards either the Jolida Glass FX Tube DAC III ($500), or the Jolida Fusion DAC Pre ($950). Is there a big difference in sound quality between the two? They use the same DACs and tubes. The Fusion adds Bluetooth, which I would use, and has more switching functionality. But as far as sound quality, can I get the Glass FX and put the extra 500 bucks toward the other components?

Glass FX + B&W PM1; or Fusion DAC Pre + B&W CM5?? These are the tradeoffs I am looking at.

Thanks if you read this far, I'd rather include more detail than less.

I listen to a mix of Jazz, Bluegrass, Classical, and everything else (Allison Krauss, Frank Zappa, Derek Trucks, Zakir Hussain, Art Blakey, Chris Thile, Joshua Redman, Kathleen Battle, Smashing Pumpkins...)
georgepv
@Boband212 You just got the Jolida FX tube dacIII? I'm looking for a new or used dac, and am considering the Jolida. I have a Jolida JD9II phono pre and love it, so I'm a Jolida fan. What upgrade did you get and what was the cost, if you don't mind my asking? I've also been looking at used Benchmark Dac I, Rega Dac, and a new Schiit Gungnir. What other dacs have you had to compare the Jolida to. Thanks for any input.
Dave
I ended up getting the Joilda Fusion Dac Pre, which I am using with the Parasound HCA-1500 and my Kestrals. It sounds incredible. Much more of an improvement than I was expecting. I was using the Marantz SR6005 as a pre-amp previously, and there is no comparison.

The soundstage and imaging are great. The detail and clarity are much better, without sounding analytical or fatiguing at all. If there is any weakness, I would say the bass is slightly subdued. But overall it sounds very musical. Guitars and mandolin have a midrange punch that just wasn't there before. I have heard several songs where I went "I don't remember hearing that before".

The bluetooth works great, no issues with either iPhone or Android. I am using the USB input from my computer. I have been using JRiver Media Center.

I got it with the Upgrade I from Jolida, with the better tubes and caps. Not sure how much of a difference this made as I didn't hear a before/after comparison.

The Marantz is now driving a new pair of B&W 683 in my home theater, which I am also very happy with!

Cliff notes: Joilda Fusion DAC Pre rocks, I give it 9/10, just because there is always something better out there.

Dan Crary just hit a low note on his custom Taylor guitar and I about fell out of my seat!
Glad you are enjoying your new preamp. I put tungsol gold pins in mine and it sounds fantastic.