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DAC recommendation

Doing a lot streaming with Spotify thru the parasound halo p5 DAC. I am noticing a difference in sound quality when listening to cds with my old rotel player and was thinking of upgrading to a stand alone DAC for better quality. My budget is about $1500 max used. Like wyred 4 sound but I’ve read some good things about schiit on some other threads. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated, thx. 
klerxst

Showing 3 responses by mr_m

mr_m
1,900 posts
 
Ayre CODEX dac. $1200 to $1300 used.
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
klerxst. 
You said you found cd's sound better than streaming, and that can be true. I use a Bluesound Node 2 streamer with the Ayre Codex dac. Connect the two with a Wireworld Super Nova 7 optical cable and then connect the Codex to my amp with balanced interconnects. This combo easily beats my Cambridge 851-C cd player. I value this cd player highly, but it is outperformed by my streaming set up. FWIW.
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
adg101,

If you're talking about using the Node 2 thru the 851-C's dac, yes, I have tried it. Used the coax connection. I used an older not so expensive coax. The Node sounded better with it's own Dac. I also tried using my Ayre Codex Dac connected to the 851-C. Playing Cd's, it sounded better with the Codex vs. the 851's own Dac. I used the Wireworld Super Nova 7 optical cord for the connection. I have not tried the boutique fuses as I have never been a firm believer of their effectiveness,  but I hear more and more good things about them so maybe I will give them a try in my Integrated amp and /or Cd player. Good choice if you go with the Vault 2. Bluesound has some really nice products for the money.
Cheers!
Tim
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