@mr_m
It does not look like the codex supports digital coax inputs, just usb and an optical input so not going to work for my setup right now
@shadorne
I could try the Benchmark without the c48 but then I lose the analog input from my vinyl deck so not going to be a viable long term solution |
+1 Benchmark but I would try it without the C48 and at 1600 used I would go higher and grab the DAC3 as it is their latest model. |
Try an Ayre CODEX dac. you will be pleasantly surprised. |
@mapman
I actually have a Benchmark DAC on my eBay watchlist..... Benchmark DAC2 DX at 1600
I do not know the model at all |
+1 on @robelvick recommendation. I have no experience with w4s DACS but am totally pumped on the mods they did to my Sonos zone player and the phone conversations were confidence inspiring. If I ever decide to change out my Wadia 321 this will be the first place I look. This one is a little more than $2k but has the latest
ESS Sabre 9028PRO
https://wyred4sound.com/products/digital-converters/dac-2v2-series |
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I would find a suitable Benchmark DAC to experiment with. You might use it as a straight DAC or preamp in the end depending. The credentials of the Benchmark DACs are pretty much impeccable making it a logical go to choice to find out what might be possible in teh price range you are in.
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@marktomaras
I appreciate your reply which is very fair and actually good food for thought and future consideration.
Usually when I tell people I do not want to go the computer route they get all bent out of shape and holier than thou on me.
From the sounds of it they have made it easier for us mere mortals to setup and use, definitely something I will have to research a little more.
And yes the Bluesound while not the top dog in SQ by any means was and is a fantastic simple elegant solution and their customer support has been exemplary imho. |
I hear that. It is certainly a hurdle. However, it can be easily managed. For example, I have an older mac mini, with no display, always on, always running roon, always connected to my dac. I have the timer on the mac restart itself once per day at 4AM to keep it happy and fresh. Roon auto starts on startup.
To operate the dac, one simply turns it on, and uses a smartphone to select the music.
I would have wholeheartedly agreed with your not in this household phrase a few years ago when this crap was way over complicated. However, it has evolved a bit. In your case, Bluesound provided a great solution. However, the method I just explained is probably a lot simpler than you'd though in earlier years.
Nevertheless, the PS Audio PWD II is an awesome piece! Worth a shot with the blue sound too. |
Some nice suggestions, I did think along the lines of an older model with large power supplies like Esoteric or similr.
@marktomaras
One thing I steered way clear of when entering the digital realm, have a number of threads on this subject...lol, was total avoidance of ANY computer based music for a number of reasons for my situation.
My system needs to be fool proof to the extent that my wife and daughter can just come in and push a few buttons on the units and select the music they want from the Bluos app on their phones, iPad etc either from the vault direct or from Tidal via the Bluos app.
I appreciate there may be better SQ to be had going computer based but not going to happen in this household. |
For $2k, I would absolutely recommend the PS Audio Perfect Wave Dac Mark II with Bridge II. This is a $4800 combination and can likely be had for $2k or perhaps a touch less if you’re lucky. You may not find them together, but the are compatible and the Bridge II is a current product. PS Audio recently upgraded the firmware on the PWD mk II, showing that the product, though no longer in production, is still properly updated and kept relevant and current.
I have this exact setup, I control it with Roon, which is really outstanding software. You can feed it with the bluesound if you like, but a direct connection via Ethernet to the DAC’s bridge unit from a computer will be better.
if you find a great deal on the PWD mk II, but not the bridge, you can forgo the latter for a while and just use the digital output from the bluesound to feed the DAC. However, I would consider trying a bridge 2 and Roon when you get curious. Roon is the best audio software I have experienced and the bridge II takes the DAC to higher levels of performance. |
I don't doubt that an improvement can be made using an external DAC. With a budget of $2000, and the fact that your sources output SPDIF, I would consider searching for a somewhat older DAC known for possessing a robust power supply and excellent analog output stage. These can be had at a fraction of the original price.
Now, which ones to consider? I feel I am not one to make a recommendation here, for lack of hearing many (most) of the possibilities. I am using a Bryston BDA-1. It has several SPDIF inputs, and at the time of purchase I prefered the use of an external USB/SPDIF converter. |
@willemj
To answer the latter part first
I do not believe that the inbuilt DAC in either the vault or the oppo are the last word in DACs by far and if I prefer their sound to the DAC in the C48 then quite likely a true dedicated DAC could sound only better. To my ears in my system of course.
@mesch
Are they satisfactory?
Probably an impossible question to answer in our never ending struggle to gain improvement...lol.
Yes I prefer their sound but as above, is it possible even better results await with a separate dedicated DAC.
Like a Schiit or something.
I guess that is my problem to pondering any suggestions to ones to trial would be worthwhile. |
Assuming that the volume levels are matched, there is no gain mismatch (likely not if you can use the volume control on C48 throughout the mid range for different levels), then it seems that you prefer the sound of the two sources via their internal DACs over the C48 DAC.
The question then becomes, "Is this satisfactory?'. |
Your phone as a dB meter is not good enough, I am afraid. With such small
but already important
differences you really need to use a Volt meter. I appreciate that complicate things, but there is no alternative if you want a reliable answer.
There are three possibilities here, I think:
1 once the levels are exactly equalized the perceived difference disappears.
2 there is a gain mismatch between source and amplifier. This could be inside the amplifier, between the digital stage and the analoguie stage, or between the DAC and the analogue input. If the amplifier clips slightly, this may sound more lively and involving, even if in reality what you hear is distortion and compression.
3 one DAC is really better than the other. In this case, with two good ones, I doubt it.
Finally, why do you think that if the the inbuilt DACs of the Vault and the Oppo sound better than the DAC in the C48 you need yet another DAC?
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Look into the Digital Amp Company DAC (DAC DAC) coaxial input and XLR Balanced out. I have the TS version and love what it does. Loads of detail without being strident and clear clear bass. Tommy is a great guy to deal with and he has a very fair return policy.
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I just knew someone was going to ask that...lol. So much I was on the verge of editing to state that ALL inputs have been level matched with test tone and sound meter app on my phone. While the actual decibel might not be 100% correct it is good enough to use to set all inputs to at least be the same.
The difference I hear is not volume but depth of field, clarity of vocals, they seem more pronounced on analog. Acoustic guitar seems to have more "zest" for want of a better word.
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Are you comparing level matched to within 0.2 dB?
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