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DAC recommendation for DSD input

Hello-- 80% of my listening is streaming local DSD (64-256) files via Roon. My current system is Roon Core on an iMac Pro making its way to a Sonore Optical Rendu which is connected, via USB to the DAC in my Hegel H390 integrated which feeds Magico A3 speakers and a pair of REL S/510 subs.. There is nothing at all objectionable to my current system, nonetheless, I am wondering if an external DAC might be an improvement over the H390's DAC and if that is a worthwhile spend.  I am space constrained so I must stick with an integrated (pre+amp), but do have space for a DAC and the Rendu system.

I have spent hours researching many of the newer and older DACS, including the cheaper "Chifi" DACS (Topping, Gustard R26 and X26iii),  T+A 200 DAC, PS Audio Direct Stream MKi2 and Mola Mola Tambaqui (used) and other DACs in-between (Denefrips Pontus and Terminator, Holo May, Wyred for Sound 10th anniversary, etc).  

I would rather spend $5k-$10K for a significant improvement as opposed to  $1K-$4K for no or a slight improvement. My hope is for more resolution, more musicality, less high frequency fatigue, tighter bass.  Is it unrealistic to expect that an external DAC will bring a significant improvement?

My system is in a decent room, but there is little to no choice in speaker placement or room treatment opportunities.

I have a chance to audition the T+A 200 DAC and the Direct Stream MK2.  In a previous system, I had an MSB Discrete stack which was nice, but I'm not sure that would be the worth the cost today.

What type of DAC (chip based, FPGA, R2R, OS/NOS) is more structured to DSD input?  I've almost ruled out R2R, but could be mistaken?  The deeper I look, the more confused I get.  

Thanks for any recommendations or advice.

 

 

mintakax

Showing 2 responses by mitch2

mitch2
4,157 posts
 

The Tambaqui holds some benefits for your situation. If you buy used, you can probably sell it quickly if it doesn’t work for you. Most of the used ones are in very good condition because of how light/small they are (i.e., easy to pack/unpack, position, and ship) and because of the protective flight case they ship in.

I recommend getting Sonore’s ultraDigital ($500 @small green) so you can take advantage of the Tambaqui’s I2S input. I owned a Tambaqui and found it to sound just about perfect. I sold mine because I preferred the (slightly colored) sound of my NOS R2R DACs, but I don’t stream DSD. I have not heard a T+A DAC but they have a good reputation and a strong following. Good luck.

mitch2
4,157 posts
 

@silverfoxvtx1800 - I really had no issue with the Tambaqui and I could certainly understand why so many enjoy it in their systems. I perceived it as being super clean but not bright or etched. It displayed good power and good extension in the high frequencies while providing well-defined, impactful bass. Comparatively, my NOS R2R DACs seem more expressive in the midrange frequencies, more full-sounding but just as powerful in the low frequencies, and provide a bit more tonal color and body, IMO. If somebody said those NOS DACs are not as strictly faithful to the source, I wouldn’t argue as I suspect the Tambaqui is very faithful to the source. Unfortunately, I did not own the ultraDigital at the same time I had the Tambaqui and so I was unable to feed it through its I2S input, which I was told by a dealer is superior to the other inputs (just their opinion).

@mintakax - Ultimately, I decided to stick with the Mojo Audio NOS R2R DACs that I already owned - the Mystique EVO Pro (mine had the special AD1862Z chips) and the Mystique X SE NCZ (designating nano-crystalline chokes and 1862Z chips). I later added a Merason DAC1 MkII, which was also a very nice sounding DAC and smooth/refined but slightly less enjoyable to me than my Mojo Audio DACs. At this time, I still have the Mystique X SE NCZ, but have sold the EVO PRO and the Merason, and I have been pondering where I might go from here while still sticking with NOS R2R topology DACs (i.e., totaldac, MSB, CAD 1543, others?).

You can read my thoughts about comparisons between several DACs in this thread.

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