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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
allanblissett
141 posts
 

If you want to keep it Mac, then you could go for the MDA200 with the DA2 module as I did. It was a nice improvement over the C47 I had.  However with so much more good, more affordable dacs available,  I soon realized my mistake and tried the new Emotiva XDA-3, which totally won me over .

Everything the Mac has and then some, for a fraction of the price.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,401 posts
 

Chord Qutest, Benchmark DAC 3. 

gamelovers11223 OP
2 posts
 

Thank you guys for your suggestions. 

I am not interested in McIntosh dacs since I've heard the DA2 dac and it was a slight improvement over my DA1 module.

I do not need anything extra like a headphone amp or a preamp in the unit. I need just a straight forward DAC that does DSD 128 or higher, USB, XLR connections, remote control. 

I was thinking a $2-2.5K budget. 

Chord just doesn't look appealing to me. 

Used equipment is ok, since I can afford a higher end unit.

I was researching a  PS Audio Directstream Dac. Some reviews rave about it, some state it's very noisy. Since my system is very revealing now, I don't want hum or noises coming through. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,401 posts
 

Ah my bad missed the balanced requirement. 
Add Bryston BDA3 to the list. Straight DAC no preamp no headphone out. 

yakbob
450 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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