Please conclude all you like! I was just looking at this ad:
and I thought that it would be better as it says it’s a DAC and more money than an M1?
Back to the DAC
Just a bit of an update. When I inquired about a DAC upgrade in a recent post, it was suggested that I look at upgrading my cables first. Since then, I have done so (see my virtual system for that). Not over the top stuff, but a definite improvement over the mostly stock, generic cables I originally had.
System is sounding pretty darn good, but like most of us, you always wonder what a more expensive DAC will offer in the way of sound quality improvements.
Many of the recommended, higher priced DACs seem to include streamers and/or offer pre-amp capabilities. I have a good streamer and pre-amp and really don’t want all those components in one box.
Have any of you experienced a DAC which offers the sound qualities of highly praised units like the Mola Mola Tambaqui, DCS Lina, T&A 200, Weiss DAC501, etc. which their only function is a DAC?
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If you want a DAC with no other features I can think of a few. At the lower end (sub $5k) there are more. SoulNote DACs are just DACs. I believe they have a SE version at $7k (d-1), balanced at $9k (d-2) and reference at $35k (d-3 plus clock). I found the d-2 indistinguishable from the DAC portion of the Lumin X1. Another brand is Aries Cerat but the Helene starts at $19k and they go up from there. the Emm labs DA2 is DAC only but list is $30k. Used units should up in the $15k range. you can bypass the volume control in many units (Meitner, playback designs, etc…) we have tested dozens of DACs and always look at the DAC stage without any other features. I validate the line stage works but never use it. Even in very high end devices like the Berkeley and Playback products. Streamers are different. They usually are better only my experience due to internal I2S connection. |
@verdantaudio thanks, but I have already purchased a Bricasti M1 and am currently upgrading it to a Series II. Figures crossed this is going to be "The DAC!" |
@navyachts looking forward to your Gustard/Bricasti comparisons. 🎶 |
Same here. I’m pretty certain though the M1S2 will knock the Gustard DAC in the dirt. |
navyachts; 4 words; the Lampizator Baltic 4 ~!!! End of story. ok, a few more. |
@tak1 tubes won't clear the shelf on my rack. |
Very sorry to hear. The Batic 4 truly is the sweet spot of the line up. And using Emission Labs Rectifier with a couple of other options for the driver tubes is just wonderful, So fluid and dynamic and resolving. Greg Weaver's vid on the Baltic 3 is working listening to. The B-4 is better. If there is any way to add a shelf or a separate rack, it would worth the effort, IMHO. Good luck. |
@tak1 I have heard wonderful things about Lampizator, maybe in my next life... |
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@joc3021 OK, I'll add it to the list, although I'm kinda committed to the Bricasti at this point, thx. |
@tvad Yes, well, I don't know specifically what you tried, but for me and others that I've talked to (Owners) the EMM Rec tube was a significant improvement as were the Black Treasures,. Better than the BTs, are dual C3g's (German) for each channel using adapters from China. Truly, brought the Baltic to another level. |
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tit for @tak1 🙄 |
I sold my $20,950 Bartok Apex, bought a $15,000 Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty (full, ethernet and usb options) and couldn't be happier. The QX-5 is better in every way. It's an easy choice. The timbre(transient information) and bass coming out of the QX-5 is exceptional - with Bartok Apex, not so much. The Ayre L5xe, "Ayre Conditioner," is a power product which makes a huge difference to relax the highs and add weight and extension to the bass. The QX-5/L5xe combo is the most analog sounding streamer I've heard. It makes me think I'm listening to records. The QX-5 should cost 2-3x as much comparing it to Bartok Apex. It's that much better. Cheers! |
@tomwipf Nice, but way over my budget...Enjoy! |
@navyachts Sorry to hear that. My Poseidon will be on the top shelf of a tall rack. I was able to place my Jay's Audio transport in a 10" high rack shelf. There's still 5" to slide the drawer open and place the CD with puck above it in one smooth install. I don't have to look even. The Shanling ET3 in black was difficult as the heavy, black glass puck had to fit within a very snug opening even though it had ample space, it would have been much better on a top shelf for access. |
@fleschler I don't play CD's nor do I have $24K for a Poseidon, but thanks for sharing! |
@tomwipf Yes, I see there is one listed here on AG but I am committed now to the Bricasti M1 SE II...fingers crossed that it's end game for me! |
@tomwipf although I do have quite a few CDs still so if you happen to run across a good deal on a CD player, maybe I could hook it up and have a listen. Especially while I’m waiting for my M1! Lol. |
The Schitt URD is interesting and similar to the D.BOB I have for SACD/CD Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in Texas and California ($1300) The URD is a transport with streaming bypass that will allow you to use your Briscasti M1 SE. My D.BOB is similar but I use a used $250 OPPO player to take DSD or PCM via HDMI into my DAC.
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@yyzsantabarbara Thanks, the URD looks interesting, for sure, but I'm more into your Oppo price range! |
Read up on the D.BOB on Stereophile or some other places. Mine cost $650 but it has gone up in price to $1k. Excellent way to listen to CD's and SACD's. My frame of reference is the great Sony SCD-1 SACD player (modded), which died after 20+ years. BTW - that Yggi+ OG DAC I got now has about 100 hours on it and I am done DAC shopping for the Livingroom. Amazing sound. Yggi+ OG | Benchmark HPA4 preamp | CODA #16 | Yamaha NS5000 speakers I am not going to spend $15k-$24k on a better DAC as was the original plan.
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@yyzsantabarbara I am done spending money too! The M1 is my last kick at the cat. The audio component cookie jar has all but dried up! With streaming, I really don't need a CD player. If I come to downsize at some point, I'll definitely look into the D.BOB. at that time. Thanks |
CD transport, unless it’s the caliber of Audio Note or Jays Audio, is most likely a waste of money, time and space when you have N200 as a streamer with Bricasti M1S2 dac. You can rip CDs onto SSD and mount it inside the N200. And I would only do this with CDs that aren’t available for streaming and you can’t live without. |
@audphile1 make sense to me, but it's just like I went from records to CDs. Ya kinda miss that interaction. |
I played around with it. It’s fun for a while and I love it but then it gets old. |
I'm with ya there. I need to spend more time with the N200 rather than thinking CDs. I had a lot of trouble getting things up and running smoothly at first. Lot's of back & forth with tech support and little time to play with it. Finally finished my 3 1/2 year remodel and mostly done with my dad's affairs, so after my daughter's 2 week visit (and I get my M1) I'm all over it!!! It came with one fully loaded SSD card with a bunch of music already on it, so it's career itself just getting on to the network, and into the N200 to sort all those tunes out, let alone adding more, Now there's the Roon factor and figuring out if I even want go there.
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@audphile1 @tvad thank you for your words of encouragement, I will heed your advice(s) |
@yyzsantabarbara The DAC I’m getting doesn’t have an HDMI port so I think I’m kind of out of luck with your suggestion. But thanks anyways! |
My DACs do not have HDMI either. The HDMI I refer to is the output from the transport. In my case the transport is a used $250 OPPO Blu-ray player. That HDMI goes into the D.BOB. The D.BOB outputs SPDIF, which I expect any DAC you buy to have. The DAC ouput goes into your preamp. This is reference level SACD and CD sound for under $1k for me. I am comparing this to the reference level Sony SCD-1 modded by Vacuum State.
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@mclinnguy That should have read "VAC" has sucked my dry, lol! Honestly though, I didn't ever think I would be springing for a DAC that cost more than my amp & pre-amp combined. @agentwja thanks for the tip on the Merason Frerot DAC. There is the MF DAC: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisb9bi0-merason-frerot-dac-d-a-converter-pow1-lps-63219-da-converters?refsource=hifishark and then there is the Merason DAC1: : https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650096273-merason-dac-1-mk1/ It would be the later here that I think I would consider. Thanks |
I will always remember what my Linn dealer said 20+ years ago: $5000 sources with $500 amplifiers always sounded better than the $500 sources with $5000 amplifiers. Sources then meaning vinyl and cd spinners. |
@agentwja Thanks, I am pretty sure a Merason is in my future. Probably the new Reuss model. |
Well, my LAiV was delivered last night. Initial impressions: - beautiful packaging and attention to details - unit looks and feels great. Remote is on another level - played P Gabriel on DSD (i2s) set on NOS mode and compared a/b to the topping (on filter 7). Less sibilance, soundstage feels wider with better separation. Bass and mids are deep; no sibilance - CD's and Stream (Pros and Cons/R Waters, Lord Zuthula - Dean Peer, Eye in the Sky - Alan Parsons, Regret #9 - Steve Wilson, Also Sprach Zarathustra - Eumir Deodato Trio Live,Chan Chan - Buena Vista Social Club and Birds by Dominique Fils-Aime). Compared LAiV v Topping D90SE v Sony ES Modwright v Oppo Modwright v Theta DS Pro Gen V. The Sony, Oppo and Theta sound similar; clean yet not sterile The Topping is fast narrow soundstage some sibilance LAiV good lows, wide and clear mids sparkling highs with no excessive sibilance. Listening to acoustic guitars and wind instruments, it is clean and enjoyable. No listening fatigue! All in all, I like it very much. This were a couple/three hours. More to come.
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