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Mod my B C DAC 3, or just get another DAC?


Hi folks

As I suffer from the disease of ‘more’ and I’d like very much to gain another level of performance in terms of honesty in the tones, and greater immediacy with imaging and sound stage representation, I’m looking for input here so I can decide which is better for me right now:

1. Modding my current stock BC DAC3
2. Sell it and buy another brand & model entirely?

I’m guessing the modding route one of greater value as it could likely be less expensive a way to go for me to gain what I seek.

My hesitancy to have it modded, revolves around the possibility of me winding up with a DAC that is transformed into something so critically revealing and resolute so as to be without the involvement which comes from the truth & naturalness of real music, thereby reducing the music I can play through it.

I listen to everything but the baser urban genres. Rap & most Hip Hop usually aren’t my cup of tea. All else? Yep. Pretty much and now I’m starting to get into classical as well. Mainly though it is jazz, big band jazz, vocalists, Bluegrass, R&B, Folk, Country, World, Rock, Blues, etc, etc.

Anyone who has had a DAC3 modded and would take the time to provide some feedback as to the results would be immensely appreciated.

Of course, any other thoughts on the topic in general are welcome too, and perhaps in terms of which mod master tends to voice their mods in SUCH & SUCH A WAY… OR THE LIKE.

I feel naturalness & honesty in tone, timber, dynamic range, as well as ambient retrieval are of significant consequence to capture the soul of the musical recreation and enhance the illusion of they are here, or you are there, which I get a fair degree of now.

Naturally, a higher level of resolution is amenable to that end, yet it should not be the spotlit attribute of a presentation. I listen for hours on end now and would wish that frame not be truncated by listening fatigue.

I’ve seen only the notes from Underwood HiFi on their level one and two mods, and the recent claims of the new VBS technology available thru Bel Canto for some of their e One level components.

As all of my system is and will continue to be digitally sourced a DAC is the key item for me. I must add too I do like what the DAC3 does for my stereo and my HT rig presently.

Thanks a lot for the input and consideration on this inquiry.
blindjim

Showing 3 responses by mlsstl

mlsstl
1,457 posts
 
Good luck on your search.

However, I'm a little confused by the jitter comment. The BC3 reviews I've seen show very good performance but with some variability depending on input type. The Lavry is in the same range but varies less with source. With a proper setup jitter should be a non-issue with either one.

Guess I'm just lucky in one fashion - I'm very pleased with my system and haven't had an urge to go changing things for quite some time.
mlsstl
1,457 posts
 
Dpac996 makes an excellent point - how can one ascribe all audible differences between two DACs to a single factor, especially when the jitter figure differences between the two are fairly insignificant?

While the word may conjur up a certain mental image, I don't believe DAC jitter exhibits as a single phenomenon (e.g., as tape flutter or record wow might.)

There are a lot of other design and parts differences between the two pieces of gear. Some of those likely play a role in the differences you hear.

If I were you (and I'm obviously not) I think the thing I'd want to do first is identify what specific parameters I'd like to see improve. You might even find changing another component a more effective route to accomplish your goal.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is step back and reevaluate priorities and see if we're really spending our energy where it can make the biggest difference.
mlsstl
1,457 posts
 
Naturally, a higher level of resolution is amenable to that end, yet it should not be the spotlit attribute of a presentation. I listen for hours on end now and would wish that frame not be truncated by listening fatigue.
I've always been a bit puzzled by this type of statement. It is not uncommon to see people claim that the drawback of some "higher resolution" or "extremely accurate" systems is listener fatigue.

When I attend live music events I am never fatigued by the music (unless it involves poor quality amplification or is much too loud.)

There are, of course, some recordings that are not what they could be and a good system will show that, but more often than not the systems I heard that are described as ruthlessly revealing often are not really accurate to my ears but rather have a tilt up or extra edge in the high frequency ranges.

This can give an initially "revealing" impressive zip to things but ultimately is tiring because it is not a natural presentation. Therefore if a music system is fatiguing it is obviously missing the boat on something in the realm of accuracy.

All of that said, I can recommend the Lavry DA-10 (they also have a DA-11 now). I've used it for a couple of years and have no urge to change to anything else.
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