How do you assess a DAC?


I've currently got an Audiolab M-Dac+ and am now going to add a streamer to my system, a lot of which have inbuilt DACs. I'd like to know whether the DAC in the streamers, such as the iFi NEO stream and others I'm considering, is going to be better than my Audiolab, in which case I'd spend a bit more for an "upgrade" and sell on my DAC.

Is it a matter of taste or can I compare certain specs to get an answer?

side22olto

Showing 1 response by kota1

It is 100% a matter of taste. If you are looking at streamers look at the OS it has #1 priority, will the OS integrate with your desired streaming sources and formats?

In my system I use a streamer with ARC room correction into my Sony Signature DAC, best of both worlds. Room correction can do things a DAC can’t. Audio lab has the 6000N streamer on sale for around $400 but no room correction.

Martin Logan Unison streamer is on sale at $199 and has ARC room correction.

If you want to drop four figures on a streamer/dac Innuos, Aurender and HiFi Rose get a lot of love but no room correction.