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DAC question - is music streamer DAC better than mcintosh DA2?

I am planning to buy a MA12000 or MA9500 or MA8950, all of which have the new DAC (DA2) along with a music streamer. While I perusing the posts here, I see that several of you have suggested not to rely on the mcintosh's DA2 and instead, rely only on the music streamer's DAC. If that is true indeed, then what is the point of spending thousands of $$$$$ on a mcintosh? wouldn't a more reasonable (price-wise) manufacturer suffice? 

What are the other considerations for me to understand? Thank you :)

nathandfwacoustics

Showing 2 responses by podosound

podosound
2 posts
 

Sorry to revive an older thread but I wanted to share my experience.  I have a C2700 preamp and just tried streaming into the DA2 DAC for the first time.  I found the sound quality to really bad.  In fact, my Dragonfly Red DAC is dramatically better than the DA2.  It’s not even close.  I tried a blind A/B comparison with 2 other listeners and both had the same opinion.  Have any of you experienced an extended burn-in period with the DA2?  Does it get better with time?  If so, how long?

podosound
2 posts
 

Let me start with…   this is only my first hand experience with the equipment I have.  There are others on the forum with MUCH more experience than me and could probably share better insight.  I.e.just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

I compared the streaming Qobuz from my iPhone 15 pro thru a cheap insignia USB C to USB adaptor to my AQ Dargonfly Red DAC to a BlueJeans 3.5 to RCA cable into the unbalanced input on the McIntosh C2700 vs the same Qobuz/iPhone 15 to the DA2 using an Audioquest Cinnamon USB C>B cable.  The Dagonfly was better in nearly every way.  Better soundstage, musicality, vocals, string instruments.  The was most noticeable was the vocals being more forward instead of lost behind the instruments at the back of the stage.  The DA2 may have done a slightly better job of creating space between each musician/instrument but failed in all other areas.  It was not an enjoyable sound nor did it sound “realistic”.  It felt like listening to speakers instead of a performance.

I recently got an Audiolab 9000N streamer.  I feel its DAC performs even better than the Dragonfly (not surprising given the jump in cost) but the difference is incremental.  Surprisingly, the Dragonfly Red is probably 70% of the Audiolab.

I also tried streaming digital from Audiolab to the DA2 and got the same results as previous.  

I am just not happy with the DA2 in my C2700 preamp.  It could be this unit, my ears, the room, cables, I don’t know.  Regardless, I had much higher expectations for the McIntosh DAC.  Before buying the Audiolab streamer, I considered a Silent Angle streamer to stream digital to the DA2 but, based on the initial experience, I chose to get a streamer/DAC unit.  I’m glad I did.

I have not experienced any compatibility issues with the DA2.

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