Does the 'Buck' Start with the DAC?

"Regardless, the comparison underscored that server preferences are ultimately DAC-dependent and may change as equipment (including cables and supports) changes."

[Emphasis: ...server preferences are ultimately DAC-dependent...]

The above quote is from Jason Victor Serinus’ very recent Stereophile review of the Wolf Audio Alpha 3 SX server.

I find his [this] statement valuable for the context of this thread.

@thyname  Congratulations on adding the Innuos Statement to your system. Would love to hear more about it's impact on sound quality and overall system performance...

FYI: I continue to be impressed (amazed) with the T+A SDV 3100 HV. I have not pulled the trigger on a server upgrade yet. 

"rockna stack: wavedream signature se with wavedream net. it's a great combination in my system."

@skanda  Thanks for sharing your findings and results on your Rockna component stack. Hopefully your experience will help others making similar choices. And, of course, looking forward to your impressions once you have the Wavelight / Taiko Extreme in your system.

I'm in agreement on your "laws" perspective. Would love to hear more on that topic, wherever / whenever you choose to share.  : )

@thyname  Check out the review [from which I am copying some information] for perspective on USB cables, in case you are still looking to optimize USB out from your Innuos Statement.

[Emphasis: "I have not heard...even two Music Servers that sound exactly the same."]

"So far, I have not heard a USB cable that sounds precisely the same as a direct Ethernet connection, or even two Music Servers that sound exactly the same. The trick is to identify what makes the music sound most convincing and involving, in other words, what will work synergistically in a given setup and choosing the cable accordingly."

- Christiaan Punter (Hifi-Advice.com) from his review of Pink Faun’s USB cable.

FYI for those interested in the Taiko Extreme....a 5 part review is online at Audiophile Style.

Providing the link to the exaSound Delta Server review by Phil Gold / Enjoy The Music, should it be of interest....

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0620/exaSound_Delta_Server_Review.htm

@thyname  Thanks!  Are you saying, ideally, that you recommend... equal spends on / equal performance levels for... the source and DAC? 

@thyname Understood.

@three_easy_payments That makes sense.

Question: Expanding on your example, if you go with a $10K Source what would you recommend the DAC spend be (using dollars only to serve as a proxy for performance/quality)?

Asking because the equation weights very differently at lower price levels (in my experience).

Can you explain your reasoning? Thanks... and yes, you are making sense. : )

@three_easy_payments  Thank you!  Auralic wasn't on my radar... I'll take a deeper look.

Since you are up on Auralic, is there any information on whether a full GX series is in the works?

@three_easy_payments Thanks.

Were you able to tease out the contributions from the Aries G2 ... assuming you heard it paired to the Vega G2 and Leo GX or in another setup?

@atdavid

- Reasons for "the streamer should not matter at all"?

- Which DACs fit these criteria, according to you? Which streamers would you pair with them?

Thanks.

@three_easy_payments  Thanks for the link. I'll wade into it. : )

@thyname 😄

@rdoc   Same question. Is the Musica Pristina both a Roon Core and Roon Endpoint/Renderer? Thanks.

@worldwidewholesales   Do stored files off the SSD sound superior to a Roon stream of the same track? Thanks.

Thank you, for the above posts. All are helpful.

It’s good getting feedback on strongly held positions, as they inform.

The problem is finding a really good server/streamer that matches your dac properly.

@worldwidewholesales  Other than the matching components, within the brand...are there other approaches you recommend?

For example, have some of your clients matched the Rockna Wavedream Net with other DACs? And to what outcome? Thanks.

@worldwidewholesales   Is the Wavedream NET both a Roon Core and Roon Endpoint/Renderer? Thanks.

@worldwidewholesales   Thanks. That answers my question.

@thyname  DAC is the Denafrips Terminator   Server is the Small Green Computer sonicTransporter i7 Roon DSP only (w/ ethernet bridge). 

I haven't had a chance to listen to MSB yet... hopefully, over the Christmas holidays.

Some have hinted at rough allocations for DAC vs Streaming Source.

Assuming mid- to higher- level components, what allocations would you suggest for the DAC and Streaming Source?

- 20K combined budget

- 30K combined budget

Thanks. - David.

Thanks for the additional responses. So far it appears that the DAC has priority over the streaming source. And that the better the streaming source, the better the downstream system performance.

@in_shore I currently have approximately 6K in my streaming source (components + LPS). And 4.5K in the DAC.

Based on what I am hearing within my own system as well as auditions, it is going to take a sizeable jump in spend to justify the upgrades on both fronts. Much, much more on the DAC front.

Unfortunate, but also a reality.

@thyname  Your current breakdown is roughly 3 : 1

Do you feel that allocation is a good one to target?

I have had the Zenith M3 in my system.

I chose to leave cabling out of the discussion, for obvious reasons. : )

Based on the responses so far, the DAC is a higher priority than the streaming source.

What percentage breakdown do members advise? 

DAC : Streaming Source

Thanks.

@headphonedreams  Thanks for your suggested allocation of 2 : 1.

I have heard the dCS Bartok in a system, as well as the Rossini (twice) and a full Vivaldi stack.

@thyname  I have the i7 SGC server. I need the extra horsepower.

Regarding the Zenith Mk3 unit, it was only in my system for a few hours. At that time, I found it to be a toss up between my front end and the Innous...power cables/LPSs were a factor. I've made adjustments to the power side of my front end...and it is now performing above where it was when the comparison was made. Would the Mk3 + Phoenix surpass it, I cannot say, but I believe what I have vs that combo will be close. Which points to the Statement as the next step, should I go with Innuos.

I’m in the camp of it all matters. But my digital front end is 36% streamer : 64% DAC

Thanks @biketony

@skanda  Thanks for letting us know and the link. Looking forward to learning more from your journey and experience.