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Options for $1k or less DAC?

Hi Everyone,

My current setup:
Spotify Connect -> HiFi Berry Dac w/ hifiberryOS -> Bottlehead Crack w/ speedball -> Sennheiser 6xx 

I'd like to replace the hifiberry with a better DAC and switch over to Amazon Music HD to get increased quality of 24/192.  I recently purchased a S.M.S.L Sanskrit 10th MK II was was *floored* by the difference in sound between the 2 setups. 

My expectation is that the differences are mostly related to DAC with Spotify already streaming at 320bps.  The differences that show up between streaming services / quality is likely minimal.

My requirements are minimal to start with:
USB input
Analog Out
Nice to have:  Filters, more than 1 output.

So, where do I go from the Sanskrit?  

  
martinman

Showing 3 responses by martinman

martinman's avatar
martinman OP
96 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestions so far everyone.  

Piggybacking off of the USA DAC thread -- schiit bi-frost is getting alot of recommendations. I've also been looking at the BorderPatrol SE and Mytak Brooklyn Bridge (both used would come in just below $1k).  

Being new to DACs should I expect the same difference of say a $100 phono pre and a $1k phono pre?  Big difference to be sure.  Not sure if it's the same in the digital world.     

I'll give Qobuz a try eventually.  Amazon's "Ultra HD" will top out at 24/192, but my guess is Qobuz has them beat in terms of content though.  Everything else is on Amazon 16/44.1.  Heh... plus, if I make the switch the kids can't steal the streaming connection!


  
martinman's avatar
martinman OP
96 posts
 
I appreciate all the suggestions on tubes.  Having build a few tube guitar amps and the Bottlehead Crack, I'm definitely sold on the technology.  However, I've always thought that you have to spend way more than $1k to get a unit that does it "right".

...to help quantify the above -- In the guitar world there are loads of pedals and gear that have a single 12a*7 in a preamp section to warm up the sound; all while keeping the power section solid state.  I'm sure it matters to some extent to the sound, but most of the magic of guitar tube sound comes from an over driven power section.  The difference in pricepoint between the two different configurations are typically double or triple. 

Anyway, I'm not sure how this translates to the HiFi world knowing that we all want clean / clear power for our listening.  But when I see tube dacs for $500-$800 I'm skeptical.  

Having said all of that, I'm *not* interested in an analytical presentation of music which perhaps is another vote for tubes (at a high level).

martinman's avatar
martinman OP
96 posts
 
Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions.  

fwiw, just wanted to update everyone on the decision.  I ended up going with the "tone board":
https://www.khadas.com/tone

At just $100 + $5 for the enclosure, its worth an audition.  Reviewers seem to like it (alot), and it punches way above its weight class.  The Tone V2 adds a few more options, I might look at that too once it's released.  You can even add a separate "VIM" board to turn it into a DIY streamer of sorts.  


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