For a more analog like sound, I’ve been quite happy with a Pro-ject Stream Box S2 streamer & a Denafrips Pontus II DAC. The Pro-ject is about $850 and the Pontus II is about $1750. The Pontus II seems to punch quite a bit above its modest price point.
In terms of other valuable improvements: A USB noise filter on the Pro-ject USB output is helpful as well. I’m using a $60 Audioquest Jitterbug, but want to try a Uptone Audio ISO Regen. Don’t forget to budget for cables as well. A $60 Supra Cat 8 cable sounded noticeably better to me than an AmazonBasics Cat 6 ethernet cable. The USB cable that I am using is a $200 Stordiau Lush that sounded better than a generic USB cable that came with an HP printer (virtually unlistenable), $15 Belkin Gold, $60 Pangea Premier SE, and a $100 Shunyata Venom. The Stordiau cable was both smoother and more detailed than the other cables.
These are the DACs I’ve listened to in the past year. I’m happy to share my impressions of any of these.
In terms of other valuable improvements: A USB noise filter on the Pro-ject USB output is helpful as well. I’m using a $60 Audioquest Jitterbug, but want to try a Uptone Audio ISO Regen. Don’t forget to budget for cables as well. A $60 Supra Cat 8 cable sounded noticeably better to me than an AmazonBasics Cat 6 ethernet cable. The USB cable that I am using is a $200 Stordiau Lush that sounded better than a generic USB cable that came with an HP printer (virtually unlistenable), $15 Belkin Gold, $60 Pangea Premier SE, and a $100 Shunyata Venom. The Stordiau cable was both smoother and more detailed than the other cables.
These are the DACs I’ve listened to in the past year. I’m happy to share my impressions of any of these.
- Audioquest Dragonfly Red
- Rega DAC
- Denafrips Ares II
- Simaudio Moon 280D
- Chord Qutest
- Denafrips Pontus II
- Chord Hugo TT / MScaler
- Schiit Yggdrasil