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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
thriftyaudio's avatar
thriftyaudio
75 posts
 

@mintakax The advice you have received is all excellent. I was in a similar position and looked at several of the ones recommended here. I found the Tambaqui less 'musical' than I wanted, but it was nearly my choice. The T+A 200 was another almost choice. It was not as detailed as I desired. I did not try to the PS Audio because I had the Mk. 1 and I did not like how the software upgrades changed the DAC profile. The Chord Dave with the M-Scaler was way too bright. I wanted to try the Weiss 501, but could not find one I could test in my system, other than from The Music Room and I had just returned another item. I really did not want to try it and return it.

I ended up with the Bricasti M1S2 which I did buy from the Music Room. I tried the earlier model in my system (M1SE from a friend) and loved it. The M1S2 was even better. What I especially like about it are the filter options. One option sounds just like the Chord Dave and another like the Tambaqui. I find I do change the filter depending the choice of music. It is like having multiple high end DACs all in one unit.

The Streamer option is a big choice. I went with Innuos, but may be looking elsewhere down the road.

bigby
162 posts
 

Try the Bricasti M21 DAC. It has multiple paths for conversion to analog including 1-bit DSD. Here is a link to the literature 

psnyder149's avatar
psnyder149
161 posts
 

I have the Mola Mola Tambaqi as part of a Makua and when I use Roon, I convert all files to either DSD 64 or 128.  The MM particularly loves DSD files.  @fastfreight has done a lot of work on this so I would give his thoughts extra weight.  But I would say that it is critical for you to get a different streamer.  I have a Nucleus + with external LPS power supply and also an Innuos Zenith SE.  I find the Innuos both in “Sense” mode and in “Roon” mode to be superior to the Nucleus.  I also have an M12 gold switch. I have a friend who has an Innuos Phoenix Net and another that has the Nordost QNet.  All do a good job.  My advice to you is get the Tambaqi but also know that you will need to get the Mac out of the system.  In the past, I have used iMac mini, Aurender, Nucleus and 2 different Innuos (Zen mini w. LPS and the SE).  I am a big believer in the Innuos line although I have not had the chance to put a Grimm in the system, I suspect that combination is outside of your budget.  Good luck!

mintakax's avatar
mintakax OP
39 posts
 

@tonyrox-- Thanks for the DSD info, very interesting. I do prefer DSD and now I have an explanation :)

@rikkipuu- Thanks, I'll bet the Goldengate is awesome, that's definitely the prettiest DAC I've ever see in a picture, Wow!

@dbt- I sold an MSB Discrete with two power supplies to TMR a few years ago! I really liked it, but I dont think I would buy one again, it would just remind me of the loss I took on the one I had :). Its a great DAC though and handled DSD very well I thought.

@thriftyaudio- Thanks for sharing your DAC journey. I'm demoing a T+A 200, it arrives in two days. I hear a lot of positives on the Bricasti DACs.

@bigby-- Thanks for that link. I'm going to check it out. I know a Bricasti dealer that may let me demo an M21, but at this point a new one is too much coin.

@psnnyder149-- Interesting what you say about a streamer. I just picked up an Aurender N200 today to demo for a week. It is the dealers demo unit so is well broken in. I was going to try the N20 but passed for a couple of reasons. I've been listening to the N200 for a couple of hours, playing DSD files that I put on a SSD internal to the unit. . I very much like the idea (and sound) of playing the DSD files straight from the internal drive.  I also have a T+A 200 coming in two days to demo.The N200 sounds great connected (USB) to the Hegel H390 DAC and regardless of any DAC demos, I'll probably buy the N200 and listen to the DSD files directly using the Aurender Conductor app, which is not as convenient or deep as Roon, but it gets the job done. The N200 is a Roon endpoint so I can still stream when I want and live with what ever degradation the network adds.   Only downside is the Sonore Optical Rendu has become unnecessary and I'll have to sell it as my trial period has come to an end. 

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