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DAC upgrade

Let me start by saying I am a vinyl guy, but digital streaming, particularly if I can achieve the right sound has many advantages. My 2 channel equipment is as follows: 

Rogue RP-1 w/ NOS Brimar CV4003, LSA Warp 1, KEF R11’s, Rhythmic F12SE, Pro-ject 1Xpression w/Hana ML, Rega Aria, Bluesound Node, Marantz CD6007, Schiit Modi Multibit 2. Good to very good power, speaker, interconnect cables.  
My weakest link (I believe) is my DAC.

My desire is the best sounding DAC below $2,500, but certainly don’t mind spending less. i want the DAC to be as good as my best current component. I don’t need a DAC with preampliflication, don’t need balanced, don’t need headphones, however I would not eliminate a DAC with superior sound with those features. I do prefer a small form factor.  
My current top contenders are:

Chord Qutest, Schiit Yggy, RME ADI-2, Topping D90 III.

The Chord checks all my boxes… reviews, sound, form factor, no unneeded features, etc and don’t mind its quirky lights… but, looking your thoughts/ recommendations.  Thanks!

 

 

128x128signaforce
signaforce's avatar
signaforce OP
179 posts
 

@jworth 

Thanks for your thoughts. I just didn’t want my DAC to be better than the rest of my components, starting a whole new round of upgrades. I think my new Qutest will be very good and one of my better components. Now replace my Node, and will hopefully be done. Very happy with my current system otherwise. Thanks!

rumblestrip's avatar
rumblestrip
47 posts
 

Two things. One, very surprised no one mentioned the Border Patrol DAC as that is usually one of the favorites in your price range.

Second, I remember Srajan from 6Moons talking about how a DDC between your streamer and the DAC makes for a major step up. In that it makes the streamer and the DAC sound much more expensive. And this was with (at the time) a $350 (now about $600) Singxer DDC.

clhs04
62 posts
 

many are quick to dismiss the BlueSound Node and call it the “weak link or bottleneck”. I would offer a contrary argument and say that it’s a great all in one box solution particularly at its price point if folks can get over their obtuse notions that stand-alone streamer and dac’s are a must have.  My newest and latest Node X is a stellar performer and I gloat over its performance and ease of use having heard other mega buck digital separates setups that left me underwhelmed.

in the interim I see a slew of EverSolo products (including Master Edition) that are quickly showing up for sale on the used audio sites….and I mean quite a few!

I wonder why that is??

 

2psyop's avatar
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2psyop
1,564 posts
 

clhs04 +1

Bluesound originated in 2013, so they have been in the streaming business for over a decade now. They spent a lot of time improving the OS and have a stellar customer service network. They are in it for the long haul and I have had many questions answered by their IT guys and many user errors resolved. The newest Node X is a stellar product at the $800 mark. Some have knocked MQA but some of the best recordings I have have heard on my stereo have been FLAC or MQA. I think we all know the companies that are producing better sounding products. Most are selling at double, triple and up to $12k. But will they keep doing so in a decade and servicing those products? To what extent have they built up customer service? How good is the OS or GUI?

For what Bluesound has achieved, they are a stellar choice IMHO.

nrthomas2
39 posts
 

The Border Patrol dac might worth consideration. Music is something special through this little gem. Form factor is high.  

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