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Better DAC then DA1 module in McIntosh C49 without braking the bank.

I got to the point in my system, when my DA1 DAC module in a McIntosh C49 preamp is the bottleneck. 

In comparison to my vinyl, CDs, files and streaming sounds flat and unremarkable. 

I have an SMSL SU-9 dac but it's worse than the one in Mac.

My system consists of Legacy Audio Focus HD speakers, McIntosh MC352 amp, McIntosh C49 preamp, McIntosh MB20 Bluetooth transceiver, Rotel RCD-1572, pc as a streamer and file player through Foobar2000. CD player is connected to the DAC too though coax.

DAC need to be able to do DSD, have USB, and connect via balanced. 

I like the DAC sound signature to be as natural as possible.

 

gamelovers11223

Showing 2 responses by yakbob

yakbob
449 posts
 

You don’t state at what price level the bank begins to break, but if $700 is within reason, this Musical Paradise MP-D2 dac would probably do the trick.

I owned the MKii version and still regret selling it, which I only did to help fund  the purchase of a Holo Audio May.

yakbob
449 posts
 

Holo Spring 3 L1 or L2 sans pre-amp would fall within your budget, and is touted as being close in performance to the May.
GoldenSound has a thorough review here:
 

 

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