Considering A New Streaming DAC (Pick 1 of 4)


Hi Folks, The four under consideration are Weiss 501/502, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Aurender A20, and Bricasti M1. Anyone of these will feed a signal into a Backert Labs Rhumba Extreme preamp before going to a Pass XA 30.8 and out to a pair of Audio Note AN/K's ("mildly effecient" at 90 db). The K's are in a fairly large room (26x12). I currently have a Lampizator Amber 4 (bal w/vc) and do like how it sounds in this system, but wish to at least explore a one box option. Although I do stream (N100H) most of my "front end" time is spent either with a Macinstosh MR88 digital tuner or an Audio Note level 2 CD transport. I'm interested about folks preferences or experiences with any of these four DAC's taking into account my front end usage and existing system. I've also looked at the possibility of keeping my streamer and upgrading the tube DAC in the form of Totaldac or BAT Rex. Any thoughts on this are welcome.

scottya118

Showing 2 responses by audphile1

I’m running the Bricasti M3 as a one box solution with Roon and like it a lot. So I’m partial to Bricasti. I also use the XA30.8. Both the Bricasti and the Pass sound better when run with XLR cables. Just wanted to mention this to you. Your other choices might be fine single ended, don’t know.

Your other option if you only have digital as a source, is to ditch the preamp and run a better DAC, something like the Bricasti M21 direct into the XA30.8. The preamp in the Bricasti is excellent. Super low noise floor, transparent, dynamic.
Just a thought.

@scottya118 I would change my response if you are not planning to use Roon.
I compared Mconnect (allows you to use Qobuz and Tidal) vs Roon and preferred Roon for a more natural less “digital” presentation. From what you are describing a one box solution like the Aurender, Lumin or Auralic are better options.