I have a Roon Nucleus Plus (mainly streaming Qobuz), USB into a PS Audio DirectStream Mk2 DAC, which sound awesome together. I also have a PS Audio PST disk unit, I2S into the DAC, which I use very infrequently, but also sound awesome. The DAC sends analog to a McIntosh C2500 tube preamp.
Do you have a perfect digital marriage?
Please share with others if you have a perfect digital marriage.
Do you have a streamer (brand and Model) that you have paired with a DAC (brand and model) that has created a blissful marriage creating the best harmony you have heard?
What are the aspects of the sound you really like?
For example HiFi Rose RX RS130 streamer fed by fiber optic ethernet connected I2S to Denafrips Pontus II, 12th Anniversary DAC.
Organic, clean, musical, great separation of instruments, dynamic
How's you marriage going?
57 responses Add your response
Yes, for my streamer+DAC Linn DSM/2 with Organix DAC upgrade. Another choice would be the new MBL C41 Network Player. Both reach top DAC sonics. No because I’m trying to justify the cost/benefit of an audiophile network switch and Ethernet filter. I could use the funds to get a tube amp - another rabbit hole to explore. |
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? —— 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. --- |
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. |
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 |
@2psyop Fun 🧵!! Power and Networking: -Fiber to house -EERO Mesh network -GIGE SW with LPS -IsoTek Genesis EVO Regen powering IsoTek Aquarius EVO condtiioner -Roon Nucleus One with Teddy Pardo LPS -Purist Audio 🐱 8 Ethernet Cable from GIGE SW to DAC -iFi LAN Silencer filter plugged directly into DAC RJ-45 All networking and Roon plugged into IsoTek stuff Digital Audio Source: -Simaudio Moon 791 Streaming DAC Best digital “marriage” to date for me thus far. Coherent, dynamic, expressive, engaging, and fun listening sessions. Was worth all the hassle tweaking the networking bits to gain more stability and performance.
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Great to see som many so many approaches digital Nirvana. t’s been a great journey from my first digital setup of OPPO Sonica DAC tube modded by Modwright. I’m currently in love with INNUOS Zenith MK3 w/PhNET & PhUSB CHORD DAVE w/ Sean Jacobs DC4/ARC6 LPS AUDIOWISE OPTO DX optical interface M Scaler w/ Teddy Pardo LPSU It’s been a long gradual build since I first purchased the DAVE/Zenith MK3, with each addition adding either incrementally by varying degrees or in one case (Sean Jacobs LPS) utterly transforming my system beyond any expectation. Next most significant add for my system was the M Scaler
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The factors affecting the sound of my digital front end probably go beyond just the "digital marriage" between my streamer and DAC but, that said, immediately upon adding the Sonore Signature Rendu SE Deluxe (optical) streamer the sound of my system became more natural and enjoyable to listen to, IMO. The effects are similar regardless of the DAC I am using, although different DACs also affect the sound in different ways. Some of the noticeable gains I perceived from the Sonore streamer were improvements in dimensionality (more 3-dimensional, think stereo vs. a transistor radio), smoothness/fluidity, "meat on the bone" (i.e., density and impact), and realness (i.e., greater perception of inflections of vocals and nuance of instruments). As I have mentioned in other threads here, while I perceived improvements from the Sonore streamer, I have discerned no reliably perceptible differences in the servers I have used to store and access digital music files and to operate Roon core (Antipodes, Mojo Audio, and SGC sonicTransporter currently). My digital front end consists of:
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Great sound stage - Dac and Pre-Amp made significant differences. Audirvana Studio has many software adjustments which can help tune your resulting sound. I believe the Decware amp likes gain and therefore does better with the pre-amp. I believe in system synergy , your components need to match up in more ways than just connecting cables. The mini pc does not give out any identifiable noise in my system and remember all pro streamers are PC's or or single board computers ( think Raspberry Pi ) underneath the metal box. |
I have a Emotiva TA1 DAC/amp driven from my desktop via Toslink to the Dac and that is driving a pair of Ohm 2000 Walsh omnis along with a pair of PC2000 SVS subs. Very happy with the overall sound, though the Ohm's need a bit more power than the lightweight amp in the dac provides. That's the next upgrade...planning on trying a Hypex class D amp with 500 wpc. I have reason to believe it will be a nice upgrade. |
I had my MM Tambaqui for a bit before it was courted by the beautiful and capable Grimm MU1. A perfect match. But many friends upstream contribute to the marriage; A JCAT M12 Switch powered by a Sean Jacobs PS, A GTT DeJitterit Switch and Clean Modem are next, with quality ethernet cabling and a Muon Pro Ethernet Filter were all on the honeymoon. |
Bell Fiber optic , Luna mauve Ethernet cable to Synergistic Research switch,Muon Pro to Aqua LinQ transporter, to Weiss 501 Mk2 for digital. All Luna red cables with Shindo gears,and 2x Rel S 510 subs in an amazing coherence with Fleetwood SQ speakers.We are never fatigued by the SQ, can go on for hours and hours. |
Lots of Roads leading to the top of the mountain. What’s interesting to me is how many different price points are getting you guys to audio nirvana. Very Cool. As someone already mentioned lots of dating before getting that special one. And of course the refreshing beverages. My choice is Guinness Stout. |
Auralic Aries G2.1 via lightning app into a Sonnet Pasithea DAC. outstanding realism, detail and timbre.
streamer Upgraded from node to auralic g1.1 to 2.1 Dac upgraded from Parasound to Rockna Wavelight to Pasithea
using 45 tubes into custom horns. No need to upgrade at this time… Love hearing about everyone's sonic bliss :) |
My DAC journey started with a Griffin iMic, then on to various budget units like Roland UA-1G, Apogee Duet… the plan was to digitize all my vinyl. Ha! I’ve had an LP12 since 1983, so I decided to listen to records and treat digital as a separate if not equal source. The Duet had a really nice sound, but I started to sample iFi products. Their Zen Signature was very listenable until I recently decided to buy one piece of kit and purchased a Linn Akurate DSM/3. Their now outdated Katalyst DAC sounds really good and I’ve decided that this is the sweet spot for me. A one-box solution makes sense in my little living room/listening room, and allows me to have vinyl, streaming and my own digital library available painlessly. Linn Akurate DSM/3>Linn AV5125 Aktiv>Linn Keilidhs Linn LP12 Qobuz & Digital thru CAT5 from Mac Mini M1 Roon Core Roon is easier, but the Linn app is pretty functional too. |
I have a happy marriage but I have a problem with monogamy. I’ve dated a lot of streamers and DACs over the years. I’m now in a committed relationship with my Innuos Zen Mk3 streamer with a Pine Tree Audio USB cable connected to my Holo Audio Cyan 2 DAC. It’s very quiet and revealing without any sibilance. A wide soundstage with good width and depth and instrument separation. I like describing music the way people talk about wine. It’s a playful little system with transparent highs, lows and mids with just a touch of warmth where needed. Pair it with Qobuz and hard rock and enjoy with your favorite adult beverage. A marriage made in musical heaven. |
DC-powered 2016 Mac Mini -> Pi2AES streamer -> Doge 7 DAC. Big, 3D analogue sound. Sounds pretty good to me, and my listening buddies agree. The Pi2AES is $199, plus $80 for a Raspberry Pi 4 and $80 for Gentooplayer operating system. Same with the Doge, which I got on sale four years ago for $1000. Sabre DAC with all-tube output, no op amps, built like the proverbial tank. I'd like to hear some newer DACs with I2S input, like a Holo or Denafrips, but I'm not in a hurry. The Doge uses the coax from the Pi2AES. I might try to borrow something from a friend at some point. |
MacMini with Roon (lifetime) -> USB -> HoloAudio May DAC L2. For FLAC files only, I don't stream. No complaints, but have not been listening to many DACs. Just got a decent one so that I won't have to wonder anymore. This is just for the occasional digital music listening, I prefer vinyl and that is where my money goes (Rega Naia). |
My Rockna Wavedream Signature and Wavedream NET are fantastic. I've only heard a couple of digital front ends that sounded better and they were an order of magnitude more expensive. I love vinyl, but have thought many times about going strictly digital. On the other hand, I've had no thoughts of digital upgrades since I acquired the Rocknas. |
AT&T fiber optic internet w/ upgraded router => audioquest Pearl cat5 cable => Integrated tube amplifier & Klipsch Forte IIIs w/ Klipsch Reference 112 subwoofer. Separate dedicated power line from common panel w true earth ground. Organic, clean, holographic sound stage with detail and warmth. The sex is great, but she hasn’t learned to grocery shop or make my tee times yet.
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I had the 2nd generation BRYSTON BDP / BRYSTON BDA digital stablemates with a CARDAS CLEAR cable. Performance-wise it was quite pleasing BUT it’s archaic and clumsy “Manic Moose” digital interface drove me nuts. Enter the MOON by SIMAUDIO digital player / streaming DAC products, They have top-end network player/dac models at progressive prices. https://simaudio.com/en/product-category/digital-products/ At its pricepoint, the MOON 280D MiND2 beat all contenders and pretenders in MY system ….highly recommended and a L-T keeper for me. REVIEWS https://www.soundandvision.com/content/simaudio-moon-280d-streaming-dac-review
https://www.stereonet.com/reviews/simaudio-moon-280d-streaming-dac-review
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I have a thrupple in my digital marriage . My Bryston DAC3 cohabitates with my Melco N 100 via usb and Cambridge Audio CXN 100 over SPDIF. The Melco , which is also my NAS, sounds great and I would probably give it a slight edge over the CA. There is fantastic separation of instruments, soundstage depth and delineation. I added the CA for features. Chromecast, AirPlay, podcasts, internet radio. The CA also sounds excellent and many times I use it over the Melco because I might be switching between Chromecast and files on the NAS and it’s just easier than changing the DAC input. Lately I’ve been wondering if the slight preference for the Melco renderer is because every thing is contained within the Melco. When I listen to a file from the Melco NAS over the CA it has to connect by Ethernet. At any rate I could easily live with either streamer exclusively by as Joel Grey says in Cabaret “..there’s two for one.” |
Happy with my Aurender N200 streamer paired with Bricasti M3 DAC. Is it a perfect combo? There’s always something better but I’m satisfied for now. |
Not perfect but dam good one thing way over looked is the digital cables Tubulus audio Transformed my already good Innuos zen ,Hermes DDC then I2S to my Terminator 15 dac I bought the Concentus cable for the USB ,For the I2S the Ximius ,and Concentus for Ethernet the solid cord silver Air,tube dielectric I believe the best digital cables out there and I have tried Shunyata best, AQ best ,these were less money and at least a 10% improvement in overall fidelity Concentus power cords also. At a Audio get together one member has a whole system of Tubulus Audio cables ,fromHolland ,could not be happier . |
Ghdprentice-I was in the same boat as you 5 or 6 years ago. I had a $15k tt setup with hundreds of albums. This is when I used Ethernet to the dac. I would have to spend much more on my tt setup to better the sound plus you still had the overhead of maintaining vinyl. I sold everything analog, even all my vinyl and have not regretted it for 1 second. Now I use i2s to the dac and sq has increased. If I wouldn’t have sold my tt setup years ago, I would have now |
Fiber optic to an Afterdark Netone, to a Gimm Mu1 streamer, via Shunyata Omega AES to a Lampizator Horizon 360 DAC with TP adaptors for NOS tubes. There is both a Roon server and a media storage server. within the Mu1. I also have a $300 CD transport that feeds the Gimm Mu1 steamer that upsamples the CD feed and turns it into great sound. I use Swiss Digital fuses with Graphene coated slugs in both the streamer and the DAC. The DAC also sits on HIFISTAY footers. Both the streamer and DAC have Source AQ Dragon cords, Finally, the power comes from a pair of Shunyata Typhon 2 (30 amp version) with Snubways and MainStream plug ins, in each of the Typhons. The Afterdark Netone has three components in one slick box...copper to fiber or fiber to copper galvanic bridge, internal linear power supply, multiport switch and an internal XO clock 10 Mhz. Grounding is handled by the Shunyata Altaira with Omega and Sigma V2 ground cables. I can use many adjectives to describe the sound, but this is the first time in a decades long dance with digital that now and then I forget I'm listening to a recording. Just once in a while, but never before has a system I have heard engaged me as IF it were a live event. |