Do you have a perfect digital marriage?

I have a blissful marriage between my Aurender W20SE into the Berkeley alpha USB into the Berkeley Alpha Ref 3 DAC. 

As other posters have commented, everything in the chain matters, high end switches with dedicated power supplies, proper Ethernet cables, and digital cables all come into play. 

Not sure if this marriage is “perfect”, but it is my best relationship I’ve had with digital to date.  Most of my digital listening now is to files ripped as AIFF and stored on an SSD drive. I am not really streaming yet with my digital front end except for some low res material through my phone so I can learn about new music. I share here only because this is a fairly high value “hack” to get better performance for less money.

My current set up consists of a Scandisk SSD extreme portable drive, selected over other USB bus powered drives because it sounded the best to me, connected to a bluesound Node N130 by a AudioQuest Carbon USB cable.  I replaced the Node internal switching power supply with a Teddy Pardo Dual 5V/2A supply and that alone made a huge difference in the sound quality functioning as a server, and removes one of the major weaknesses of the design.  The Node is connected to a Chord Qutest DAC (also powered by the Pardo supply) with a Chord Company Signature Super ARAY coax cable.  I did a blind shootout with a number of different cables at different price points, and this was one of the best sounding to me, and I was able to pick one up used for about 1/3 the current list price.  Toslink cables can sound pretty close for much cheaper, but be careful because some will not play 24/192 files.  For analog output from the Qutest I use Nanotec Systems #207 Music Strada IC with Furutech rhodium plugs.  I run the Qutest at 3V output and use the “incisive” (white light) filter.

I can tap my toes and enjoy this setup all day without listening fatigue, and even some old redbook recordings that used to grate on my ears sound well sorted now.  This is my second Chord DAC, and I really do like the house sound.  I have not heard a TT2 or Dave or the M-scaler, or frankly most of the DACs listed in the thread, but this front end is a good compliment to the rest of my gear and room for now.

kn

Mac Mini M4 with Roon Server and HQPlayer Deaktop on wired Ethernet network connected to Holo Audio Red (Roon and NAA endpoint) via Ethernet-fiber switches.  The Red then outputs via i2s or USB to a Holo Audio Cyan 2 or Denafrips Pontus 2.  Sounds great and provides lots of options to try out combos and filters for best sound quality.

Anyone heard the new 6 figure (cost) 5 box SOTA DCS Dac?

I would expect that should do it. Perfection, that is. If not then what?

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The 5 box dCS DAC refers to a high-end digital-to-analog converter system produced by dCS, a renowned manufacturer in the audiophile community. This particular DAC setup is notable for its complexity and premium pricing, reportedly around a quarter of a million dollars. Here are some key points about the 5 box dCS DAC:

1. **Chassis Configuration**: The DAC is designed with five separate chassis, which is quite unusual and raises questions about space and integration in a typical audio setup. This multi-chassis design is intended to optimize performance by isolating different components, which can enhance sound quality [[2]](https://www.psaudio.com/blogs/pauls-posts/over-the-top-2?srsltid=AfmBOooFrySDhASJQQDFbOBIiLivJzVo2rMxlHszWDuGliCGBOSx14zp).

2. **Target Audience**: The product is aimed at audiophiles and enthusiasts who are willing to invest significantly in their audio systems. The high price tag reflects the advanced technology and craftsmanship involved in its production [[2]](https://www.psaudio.com/blogs/pauls-posts/over-the-top-2?srsltid=AfmBOooFrySDhASJQQDFbOBIiLivJzVo2rMxlHszWDuGliCGBOSx14zp).

3. **Technological Advancements**: The development of this DAC has taken over five years, indicating a significant investment in research and development to push the boundaries of digital audio technology [[1]](https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/dcs-new-flagship.39192/).

4. **Market Position**: The 5 box DAC is positioned as a flagship product, showcasing dCS's commitment to high-end audio solutions. It is part of a broader trend in the industry where manufacturers are exploring increasingly sophisticated and expensive audio equipment [[2]](https://www.psaudio.com/blogs/pauls-posts/over-the-top-2?srsltid=AfmBOooFrySDhASJQQDFbOBIiLivJzVo2rMxlHszWDuGliCGBOSx14zp).

In summary, the 5 box dCS DAC represents a pinnacle of audio engineering, designed for those who prioritize sound quality and are prepared to make a substantial financial commitment.

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Learn more:
1. [dCS new flagship | What's Best Audio and Video Forum. The Best High End Audio Forum on the planet!](https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/dcs-new-flagship.39192/)
2. [Over the top - PS Audio](https://www.psaudio.com/blogs/pauls-posts/over-the-top-2?srsltid=AfmBOooFrySDhASJQQDFbOBIiLivJzVo2rMxlHszWDuGliCGBOSx14zp)
3. [New dCS 6 box presentation! - #179 by glevethan - dCS Products - dCS Community](https://dcs.community/t/new-dcs-6-box-presentation/6809/179)

Roon Nucleus Plus via USB to Playback Designs USB-X4 via P-link to PBD MPD-8. I can finally enjoy digital but I still prefer my analog rig.