Full featured balanced dac/preamp advice

Antelope Zodiac Platinum

Bricasti M12

Matrix Audio Mini-i Pro 3, brilliant unit.

I have the BC 2.7 but currently want the Bicasti M3h which checks the same boxes.

Trump we are a bricasti dealer the m3 is amazing the volume is an issue the vol only does individual steps doesn’t ramp

Thanks for all the responses. I should have mentioned that the $2,500 price that the Bel Canto goes for is probably at the upper range of what I can spend. Unfortunately that rules out the fine suggestions except the Matrix. I could be wrong but I don't think the Matrix has the AES input. One other contender is the Newprime DAC-9. Seems like a lot of bang for the buck for around $800 but obviously not in the league as some of these others discussed

trump350, are you overall pleased with the 2.7? Maybe you could give me a heads up if you decide to list it for sale.

PS Stellar Gain Cell was designed with every one of those features included except for i2s and 2 coax SPDIF instead of AES/EBU input.
You are still much better off with a seperate, upgradable DAC IMHO.

A good question, however I have never heard any components that would warrant a choice on the basis of inputs and output (USB under certain circumstances) versus the sound of the component. The difference in the sound of the different components was far greater than any difference in which interconnect type would make. To optimize components... once you have the components you like then optimize for the best connections. 

I own the Bricasti M3 DAC and like it very much.  "The M3 utilizes two independent linear power supplies for the analog AND digital processing to insure low noise and superior isolation".   Bricasti recently released the MDx Upgrade Board.   This upgrade improves the sound quality and is an example of Bricasti Customer Support.

And, it sounds great.  Recommended.  

Thanks again for the responses. I should probably have also mentioned what I am using now, the Onkyo P-3000R preamp. Below is some information from the Onkyo website:

Separate Digital/Analog Circuitry and Transformers

To prevent unwanted interference, the P-3000R employs physically separate circuitry for digital and analog processing. What’s more, it also features separate transformers for digital and analog circuitry. Using this design approach helps to eliminate noise and contributes to a cleaner overall sound.

Separate TI Burr-Brown DACs for L/R Channels

High-quality TI Burr-Brown DACs work to optimize analog audio performance on Onkyo’s new hi-fi components. The P-3000R pre-amp sports dual 32-bit PCM1795 DACs, which support sampling rates of up to 192 kHz, display high resistance to clock jitter, and handle a 123 dB dynamic range. Although these DACs can process two-channel audio on a single chip, Onkyo employs separate chips for each stereo channel, to ensure the most accurate digital-to-analog conversion.

The only reason I'm looking to upgrade is that it doesn't have balanced outputs to feed into my ATC P1 Pro amp that I recently bought here on Audiogon. I know it's a highly debated topic weather balanced will really be an improvement, but ATC highly recommends it and it's one of those things I won't know until I try it. Also I'm using an Onkyo C-7000R CD player that has the AES/EBU output that really sounds colossal when I use that connection with the P-3000R. If I were to buy something new that comes with a return policy I wouldn't be taking a great risk. Do you guys think I'm just chasing my tail with this obsession to go balanced? All opinions welcome

 

The answer to your question depends on the distance between pre and power amp. Anything less than 2m won‘t make much of a difference, anything further: balanced wins.

I have a Audio Alchemy DDP-1 (dac/pre) + PS 5 outboard power supply. It is really good. Peter M who is/was AA) designed the dac/pre/streamer for Elac. I've not heard it, but Enjoy the Music raved about it


hth

I believe the Rockna Wavelight has all the features that you are looking for.  I had a customer who did a side-by-side with Bel Canto and the Rockna and like the Rockna much better.  Of course, it is almost double the price so you would hope that it would be better.  

The Audio Alchemy DDP-1 definitely has the features. I love the two single ended and one XLR balanced inputs. Doesn't appear to be in production anymore. Maybe I could find a pre-owned unit with the power supply. Did a little research and I can't find out what dac chip is used. I know implementation is more important but it's still nice to know going in before purchase. Definitely nice to have more choices

I don't recall, but TAS reviewed it back in 2017-18ish

Yes that article mentioned sampling rates of 216kHz/32-bit which I've never seen anywhere else. At the bottom of the review it lists 192/24 which makes more sense and is fine with me. Also this article and anything else I've read doesn't mention the DAC chip. Or even if it is a chip or R2R although I don't think so. Almost like that information is top secret

Antelope sells Zodiac Platinum Dacs on Reverb.com. A real value for money proposition for an integrated top DAC/Pre

Try to find a used Sonnet Morpheus.

Underwood HiFi is now selling Audio GD kit. Their dac/pre has a R2R dac, and at a most reasonable price

R28 (2021 version) Balanced preamp with resistor ladder DAC & 9.5wpc headphone amp
$1499.00

https://www.underwoodhifi.com/products/audio-gd

Thanks to all, I appreciate the advice. I was able to purchase a hard to find Topping D90 dac/preamp here on the forum yesterday. Most reviews show it to be a great DAC but only a good preamp. If I'm disappointed in the preamp I will use it in dac only mode. If it proves a mismatch for my two channel stereo room I'll then see how it works in my headphone setup. Thanks again for all the advice, audiogon members never disappoint