2. digital
  3. 159040-19023

DAC Resolution vs Non-fatiguing vs Cost

I just sold my Bricasti M3 to try the much much cheaper RME ADI-2 DAC FS and Topping D90 MQA.

Both of these DACs are amazing for the money and I am now wondering how much I should really spend on a digital source.  I liked the M3 very much and the SimAudio 380D I had before it.   I was considering go up from the M3, but now I'm not so sure after listening to these two DACs in my system.

To my ears, the RME is very smooth and non-fatiguing while offering good detail retrieval; I think it is lacking a bit of bass and dynamics but a better power supply might fix that.  

I find the D90 to offer amazing levels of detail and a super quiet background, along with very good bass and dynamics.  On really good HD recordings I think it might sound better than anything else I've had in my system.  I do find it sharp and forward/fatiguing on some recordings though.  Its ultra-resolution can be a double edge sword, but man for $800 I can't believe how good it sounds.

For me, I would now like to find a DAC that has the resolution and dynamics of the D90 with the smoothness and listenability of the RME.  To get that, does it cost 5 to 10x the cost of these DACs?

I find the M3 very much a mix of these two sounds.   But I keep going back to the $800 D90 and how amazing so many recordings sound to me with it.  But yea, the many bright recordings I have do require either lower listening volumes or shorter listening sessions, which isn't ideal.

Maybe I should try a good R2R DAC next?  The D90 seems like a great reference to keep so I can compare against other DACs for resolution and detail retrieval.

ddafoe

Showing 1 response by oddiofyl

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,476 posts
 
I've had my RME ADI-2 DAC for a few weeks now and it is incredible for the money.    It replaced a NAD M51 which I have enjoyed for a while but never used its USB input.  Not only do I think the RME sounds better,  it does plain fact,  but the feature set is awesome. 

The NAD required full OS and drivers...  I plug my phone or Samsung Tab in and the RME recognizes it in about 2 seconds and will play anything.   Its a game changer for me.

Im 90 % music , but  Movies played through this DAC in a 2.1 set up are awesome. Subterranean bass and crystal clear dialog.   

The clarity is scary for the price.    Is it FS jitter reduction? Who knows,  who cares it sounds so sweet.

I'm keeping the M51 for my 2nd system but I was afraid it would be a lateral move and it is not.   The NAD was 7 years old it served me well.  

I'm buying a new PC this weekend so I can fully take advantage of what this DAC and my Bluesound Vault can do.

Made in Germany, nice headphone amps, huge value, sounds incredible.   The best sounding source component I've  used to date. Menu has a little learning curve but not bad at all, it is a pro component so it has a pro menu hierarchy. My money was well spent on this 

More to discover