Best EXTERNAL DAC suggestions

@pennfootball71 

The OP has a $1,000 budget and you suggest a Lampizator Baltic 4 which lists for $6,850?

Let them eat cake.

I’ve got a Node and love it paired with my MHDT Orchid DAC that has an output tube. Tube rolling is fun since the sound signature changes accordingly. I also will be buying a Teddy Pardo linear power supply to improve the Node (streaming).

@captelee "Not many on this side of the fence care to research. But reading up on Audio Science review you can hear and learn comments from the guys (and gals) who design and build these things...past the pretty boxes."

Dacs fitting the "warm" description over there (or any of the dacs I’ve liked) usually get panned by them. And the dacs they show having the best specs, did not always sound as good or were as engaging to me. Been there and done that with their advice. I’ve found the only way to know is to try the dacs in your own room, system, and setup.Then listen close, over several weeks to get a better idea of what someone might prefer and enjoy more.

For my replacement tubes for the Rogue RP-1 , I got these on the way: 1957 Westinghouse 12AU7 PLATINUM+ GRADE Black Plate Tubes Matched Pair 95% NOS.

Any thoughts my good AUDIOGON friends?

I believe the CH-FI products have made great strides in the last couple of years, but still, I find my JDS Atom+ for all of $109 to still be a supurb DAC.  I really would like to hear an Aries II though.   I listen only to ripped CDs. ( JRiver, WASAPI/exclusive/asynchronous)

I have a Topping DX3pro+. It measures fantastic, but still has a little less than the JDS. I also have a Schiit Asgard with the new ESS DAC board, and it is a step back from the JDS but was a big step up from the original AKM board.  My specific sound I hear is the edgieness or sibilance of female vocals like Judy Collins and Joni Mitchel. They hit a few notes that unmask anything wrong.  I am an old guy, so all that top in air and depth stuff is lost on me if if it actually exists. 

@tony1954 if he buys the DAC I say he will be done buying dacs forever. Pay once cry once!

Moose89,

First congratulations on the pre-amp, that's a great start.

Second 12AU7 type tubes have gotten very expensive of late, my favorite are the Mullard NOS (not new production) or the NOS Amperex versions with gold pins....these will both be around $100 per tube, but are amazing tubes. NOS tubes will definitely give you the "warmth and soundstage" that you were referring to.

A very good 12UA7 tube is the NOS RCA "clear top" tubes which can be found under $40 and will be better than any new tube. Brent Jessee will carry a huge selection of 12AU7/6DJ8/and his reputation is perfect http://www.audiotubes.com/12au7.htm

Third if you do decide to go with a $1,000 DAC, I'd recommend looking at the Denafrips Ares 12th edition at $1,000.....not the Enyo/Ares II version for $870. It's definitely worth the extra $130; and is definitely on the "warmth and soundstage" side....and I'd add "fun" as well.

@pennfootball71 

When someone supplies a budget it is to tell the people responding "what he can afford to pay".

This may surprise you, but just because pennfootball71 can afford a Lampizator Baltic 4, it doesn't make it a sensible purchase for those of us that can't.

In a different forum I'm in, people are raving about the new Eversolo DMP A6. It's under a $1000 and people who are coming from a Bluesound node and are shocked at the improvements! I purchased their Master Edition for my headphone setup. My home stereo system I'm using a Holo Audio May KTE and Aurender N200 so this should be an interesting experiment.

SMSL SU-9n Balanced Desktop DAC

And added benefit of this is the remarkable bluetooth for streaming.

Anything more expensive doesn't really get you much in terms of final fidelity.

@vthokie83 

Really…thank you for the info!

adding to my Bluesound Node v3, as a DAC first time, will be the Denafrips but an Ares ll? A really great used buy  it comes with a SPDIF cable? I’m not sure about all these interconnects… options… and even if SPDIF will work with Node3… then the order of NAD amp- Rogue RP-1, Node3, and the better cable choices for interconnects  

  I’m hoping to get it right … suggestions? And thanks y’all  to the many posts that have helped me decide on WHAT to do …as EXTERNAL DAC quests can be infinite as it appears…Moose

So

Sell the Node and get an Astell & Kern ACRO CA1000T. It really can’t be beaten for anywhere near the money. Plus, you get full-fat Apple Music hi-res with it. Streaming capabilities are amazing and as just a streamer into an external DAC it is very noticeably better than the Node. As a streaming DAC and Preamp? It obliterates the Node. 
 

The added bonus is that you get a world class headphone amp out of it as well. 

Moose89,

If you are getting the Ares II used and for a great deal, it's a really good DAC for the money. The internal DAC in the Node 130 (3rd generation) is much improved over the 2, and 2i versions, but the Ares II will be a very noticeable upgrade.

SPDIF refers to the topology of the signal, and usually comes in 2 flavors: digital RCA (digital coax) connectors, or optical  The Node 130 has both coaxial RCA and optical SPDIF digital out connectors, so no problem connecting with the Ares II. NOTE: The digital RCA cables are not the same as RCA cables used for analog audio interconnects.

If you later want to upgrade any cables at a reasonable cost: Lavricables, DHLabs, Zavfino, Morrow Audio, and Supra Cables (actually found on eBay) all make great cables and have many affordable options.

FWIW, if I’m you my next move would be to a Denafrips Ares 12th Anniversary DAC with a good digital cable. The reason is this version comes with an i2S input so you can later add a DDC (like the Denafrips Iris) and get a further significant performance bump.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650003588-denafrips-ares-12th-1-all-aluminum-chasis-with-hifi-tuning-supreme-fuse/

For a digital cable I’d highly recommend the Acoustic Zen MC2 (read reviews) that I recently bought used and was a huge upgrade over a good but budget digital cable, and if you’re patient they can be found used on hifishark for around $200 and very well worth every penny. These two purchases will launch you to a higher performance level entirely.  Just my $0.02 FWIW.

Research this "https://www.beatechnik.com/product-page/DAC2-MK3" 
Jay's Audio makes one of the finest Cd Transport and DAC 

@vthokie83 Vthokie83

thank you so much for educating me about digital cable. I’m still not clear on how the node 130 connects but I’m sure I can call Crutchfield. It sounds like one end of the RCA is analog and the other end must be digital? Because I know the node has, an RCA looking output.? So the node needs to find its way to the Digital imput  of/to the Denefrips Aries ll. 
 

@spawn350 

thanks yes I looked up ACRO 10000T. Nice machine. I wish it had a remote where I could change the friendly preset channels while I stream which is what I love about the Bluesound node.

It’s a slight change of the way you think, but you’d use mini-XLR to XLR cables frkm your listening position to the amp. You control everything from the CA1000T. 
 

Slightly pre-owned, you can find them for 50% off. They are also Roon Ready. I became a Roon convert, and after a few weeks, I’ll never go back. 
 

another alternative would be the Eversolo DMP-A6. I don’t have one, but over heard incredible things from a gaggle of people. 
 

good luck in your audio journey!

Dodge Audio MK2 7 DAC. 

https://doge.audio/product/doge-7-tube-dac/

Hey moose89...thanks for the topic.

I'm PC sourced to a pro-gear digital preamp...cross-over internally to my active Rythmic L12 servo subwoofer and monitors.  My best friend has a big rig with an $18K Lampizator.  We share the same audio "flavors."  I'm never sad to come home to my rig.  "Clarity & neutrality" is how I would define the DAC...  Focusrite Clarett+ 4Pre USB-C Audio Interface | Sweetwater

My highly skilled west coast Sound Tech and I finetune carefully applied DSP (to 1/100th of a db.)  For the "non-believers" trust, any harm from DSP is greatly outmatched by the sonic benefits in my dedicated studio.  

Tip of the Day...clean all connections every 6 months, remembering to flip your main incoming power at the incoming panel...and, the pins on your tubes, with exacto knife.  

More Peace!   (bold print for old eyes)        Pin

...afterthought...running a tricked-out Music Reference RM-10 MK II (full Marigo Tuning Dot treatment)...ALWAYS recommend tubes in the chain with a digitally sourced system.  Pin

@decooney 

thanks for your imput. I think in hindsight,what I’m hoping for with my choices….is a bit more smoothness in the top end of my sound, taking a bit of the sting out of the detail that Klipsch provides, as the detail is what makes the Cornwall 4 so much fun. I sit there each time I listen, in amazement. Especially when I replace a sports announcer with Apple Play to a click on my Node remote’s (10 ) streaming channel choices, to quite a contrast!

so, I love clarity and detail and soundstage. I’m hoping I can hook together now, the current shipments of Rogue RP-1, Ares ll, with the Node v3, and keep it going within my eArc Apple Play TV hookup. Everything operates off WiFi. No cable. I’m going to learn more now, implementing DIGITAL RCAs I gather, and want that KNOW HOW.  

I also forgot to say that I run “cleaner power” through a battery backup tower, like one used in computers which includes a Panamax power conditioner plugged into the chain. I think my voltage ranges from 120-125 on readouts… I’m hoping this helps protect my components. 

moose89...

I also successfully run a Panamax with all but my powered sub.  Having the luxury of 2 isolated dedicated lines in, I've experimented with using amp on seperate line etc, as some recommend, however, the line conditioner, with select positions onboard for type of gear, seems to be the solution.  Also, I've had great success with Furutech replacements to outlet the Panamax male plug.  Onwards!  Pin

Everything operates off WiFi. No cable.

You can improve your streaming performance by using a Mesh system and running an Ethernet or CAT 7 or 8 cable from a Mesh node to your Node. Many people do this here and report significant improvements over using Wi-Fi. Alternatively you could get a simple Wi-Fi extender like this, plug it in an outlet in your listening room and just run a cable from from it to the Node (but many here seem to prefer Mesh so I’d do that if it’s in budget)…

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Extender-RE700X-Beamforming-Compatible/dp/B09V455KZ2/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=tp+link+ax+wifi+extender&qid=1690123088&s=electronics&sr=1-5&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc

Here’s a CAT8 cable some people here think performs well…

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089N94XXV/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_8?smid=A1EA54VWB150Z7&amp=undefined&th=1

Just one more way to boost your streaming performance that’s not terribly expensive FWIW.

Yes, I went from a wifi extender to Google Mesh and connected it as Soix described. Much more stable, no more audio dropouts. 

Just to be clear, when I recommended adding  a Wi-Fi extender or Mesh system to improve streaming performance I meant that it should meaningfully improve sound quality as well as prevent dropouts.  I neglected to specifically mention that in my prior post so just wanted to clarify. 

Soix, I assumed that's what you meant. I have an upgraded Node feeding a Pontus II and the mesh system really helped stabilze my streaming experience. My wifi signal is average at best. I really couldn't hear a difference in sound, but it is difficult to AB this.  

@ericsch Nice system man! Hey, if you didn’t hear a difference you didn’t hear a difference — end of story.  But it’s great that you have the confidence and ability to honestly trust your own ears — that’s a true gift several here don’t seem to possess, and glad to hear you no longer have to deal with uber-annoying dropouts! That’s huge in and of itself.

@moose89 ..."current shipments of Rogue RP-1, Ares ll, with the Node v3...".

Probably best to receive it all, let it run in for a few weeks to settle in, and see where you land at next. Report results after, let us know how it goes, and cross the next bridge when you get there. 

Really happy! Great choices. Got them all together… non fatigue great sound, musicality that conforms, and sound that is like watching a bubbling brook… Holy ease!

See if you can find a Kora - Hermes Non Oversampling dual mono tube DAC. You will be very happy

Now I’m not quite convinced that adding an exterior Denafrips to my Bluesound Node has paid quantitive improvements. Also I think the NAD C1366BEE amp far exceeds the First Watt J2 with my current Cornwall iv match up. However…. The Rogue RP-1 preamp is a nice edition. I’m going to give the Ares ll some additional listening time to decide whether it’s keepable.  I put the First Watt J2 back on the market here. 

My mistake. I did not place the jumpers in position when using RCA connectors! First Watt J2 jumped up in gain!

After a lengthy conversation with a EE friend, and there knowing my interest in having a not too large casing on a Second DAC (small and concealed as a device is a goal), they have suggested a model I look into, that is a DAC referred to as a ProtoDAC. 

There seems to be a growing interest in this as a design.