Why bother.
Let's Talk DAC's
My current DAC, the Chord Chordette Qute HD is getting on with age and I am looking for a new one with superior performance. So far, I have narrowed down my search to five DACs. At the low end is the Denafrips Ares II and the Eversolo DAC Z8. Mid range the RME ADI-2 and at the top end the Chord Qutest and the Denafrips Pontus II.
This is for an all-digital setup in a 12x12 dedicated room. I have a much larger room with a much "bigger" set up, but for this room it is a simple PrimaLuna Prologue Classic integrated, Audiolab 6000 CD transport, ProAc Tablette 10’s, and a REL T/5i Subwoofer. I plan to add a streamer as well, but that is for another discussion.
I am conflicted with the choice between a delta-sigma modulated DAC and an R2R type Dac. I do like the FPGA technology in my current DAC. It has served me well.
I am certainly open to other ideas and welcome comments from those of you that have experience with this equipment.
I forgot to add; I like a wide and deep soundstage and good imaging. I also hate a rolled off high end.
Showing 7 responses by jeffrey125
Why bother if you’re looking all lower performance DACs, Giant killers are a fallacy, yes there are okay low end DACs out there but really they are no better than your iPad. As @pennfootball71 said save some money and look further up the line, Limpazator, LessLoss, Simaudio, Aqua, Briscatti……your ears will thank you. |
Wait @tvrgeek I thought cables did not matter in the audio chain? I have not used a PC for streaming in a long, long time. With cleaner more efficient streamer/server options geared towards audio. Some of these devices (ddc) do help improve the audio chain with some DACs.
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🙄 not sure who or what you are adressing @tvrgeek . My DAC is not afflicted with these issues and needs no bandaids it is well designed and implimented, well north of most peoples budget but not as much as some here (20K). No I do not use a DDC but I am not going to say that they do not work for some folks. Nor will I say their system is schiit like you are implying. I know that $$ spent is not always indicitive of how a DAC will sound, I know my DAC sounds better than anything in the mid level price range.
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The LAB 12 is a very fine DAC @oddiofyl and you did not compromise one bit you made an upgrade. Personally if I were the OP I would audition as many of these DAC as I could. |
@arafiq no I did not, I had the Echos End then upgraded to the Echo’s End Reference, prior to the LessLoss I did audition the MA3, Lampi Golden Gate. I also owned the Mearson DAC1. All ore excellent DACs the LL EE worked best in my system. |
@tvrgeek I see reading is not your strong suit slick. You really think that Schitt will hold it’s own against LessLoss, Lampi, SPL, LinQ, Mietner, Mearson, Holo, then you are bat schiit crazy. May work great in your Schiit System (and you may think so too) but ends there slick. Did buy my daughter the Modi with her paper route money when she was in middleschool.
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