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Do you recall "instant improvement" from your first stand-alone DAC ?

After weeks of research I recently ordered my first external DAC.  My system is modest by most accounts... Van Alstine SET400 amp, T-10 tube pre-amp, Salk HT2-TL speakers, WiiM Ultra streamer/DAC.  It sounds very good to me... resolving, clear, excellent bass, mids, highs. Then I started reading and asking about streamers and DACs and it seems my system could sound better. So I did a lot of reading and ultimately ordered a used Merason Frerot with factory wal wort power supply.  Now the anxiety of second-guessing my choice and what it will sound like in my system.  Cuz there are no stores near me to demo DACS.  Eventually I will likely upgrade the streamer.

 

What did you notice the most about your first stand-alone DAC... more clarity, richness, scary good vocals, extended highs, more airy highs, more and better bass ?  Better soundstage and imaging ? All the above ? 

foamcutter

Showing 1 response by oberoniaomnia

oberoniaomnia
196 posts
 

Nothing earth-shattering, IMHE. Compared to speakers, tubes, or TT, DAC differences are at best flavoring. I compared a $250 Topping D50III with a $5K Holoaudio May 2 DAC, and while there were *slightest* differences, one was not objectively better than the other. For some recordings I liked one better, for others the other. And I did a side-by-side comparison, having both plugged in, grouped in Roon, volume matched, so could switch back and forth on preamp for instant comparison.

Differences in recordings are greater than differences between delta sigma and RR DAC, so differences between DS DACs are even smaller. The is confirmed by comparing on headphones the Dragonfly series (red, black, cobalt). I had difficulties convincing myself that I heard any differences. This is at the low end of price spectrum, where one would expect the greatest improvements.

 

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