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DAC league table

A little lost in this world of technical audiophilia, I need a bit of help finding my way.

I have a Marantz streamer with (I think...) an ES Sabre 9016 Ultra Dac as its beating heart. Unhappy with the streamer as whole and thinking of separating out the functions of streaming, DAC and pre-amping, which DACs are better than this one? How do I find out, what specs might tell me?

Onward kit: Acoustics Masterpiece valve amp (used as a power amp), Monitor Audio Gold 200 speakers. Listening interest: vocals, instruments, clarity of sound, although a decent bass response never goes amiss. Source, streaming from tidal or Qobuz.

louisesjpp

Showing 2 responses by fuzztone

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,641 posts
 

Innumerable DACs are probably "better."  There is no obvious "tell" from specs. You have to find what you like to listen to. There are many "on approval" options available now for audition.

Referring to the title, there will never be a DAC SQ table, too subjective.  Try another, it may not be a DAC problem.

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,641 posts
 

IMHO Roon is not worth paying via subscription.

Good luck finding a combo streamer/DAC/preamp in that price range. I can't think of any because I have never considered that route.

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