So, not sure if USB or i2s is the way to go at this point. Although, it sounds like USB is the Aurenders preference for connecting to a DAC.
Well, I’d think it’s actually more important which input is superior on the DAC, but that’s me.
Aurender
Thanks to all that responded in my recent post regarding my digital front end!
Many of you suggested Aurender for a streamer. I have found a demo unit that will eat up the majority of my $5,000 budget not leaving me much money for a new DAC.
I thought it was the DAC that was the most important item in the digital chain.
Any thoughts on this? Thank you!
Showing 5 responses by soix
I’ll throw out one more thought because I like to complicate things. Depending on the quality of your Gustard’s inputs it might be worth considering adding a DDC to take advantage of its i2S input. I’ve got a Musician Pegasus R2R DAC and bought a used Denafrips Iris DDC for $400 to take advantage of its i2S input and it was like upgrading to a better DAC versus USB from my streamer. All depends on how the USB input on the R26 compares to i2S, but if Gustard says i2S is superior you might be able to get a nice DAC upgrade on the cheap while still upgrading your streamer. Peace out. |
That’s why I asked which input is best on the Gustard because everything depends on that. If Gustard says their i2S input is superior then you’re probably looking at a nice improvement with a DDC and i2S versus going direct even if you’ve got the Aurender, but if USB is equally as good then absolutely going direct from Aurender, etc. may be perfectly fine. I’m using an iFi Zen Stream, but in this case it really comes down to which input on the Gustard is superior, and I’m sure they can tell you that. My point was that IF the i2S input is better on your DAC as it is on mine, then an extra $400 or so is like a DAC upgrade on the cheap that can work in concert with the better streamer. |