2. amps-preamps
  3. 161822-153106

Penafrips, MHDT Labs DACs versus Integrated amps for home office

Carrying this over from another discussion.  Apologies for being verbose, but...  I am on the hunt for DAC and amp combo with awesome sound quality and would appreciate any thoughts. I have a 10x10 ft home office, which I spend many work and after hours in. So, I have been trying to upgrade my sound, but am not able to invest gazilllions. I stream Tidal MQA and HiFi via USB from my MacbookPro using Tidal's app.  I listen via speaker, no headphone, no vinyl.  

I want wide & deep soundstage, clarity, and great sound at lower volumes. "3D soundstage", "holographic", etc.

Here's what I have so far. (amps will be in a bake off)
  • Canton Vento 830.2 speakers (very "revealing")
  • Peachtree Nova 300 integrated (with internal DAC)
  • Cambridge Audio Azur 851A integrated amp (but no internal DAC)
  • NuPrime IDA-8 with internal DAC

I love the Peachtree so far, but want to give the Cambridge a fair shot, which requires that I buy a DAC (less than a $1000-$1200 if possible). The loser of this bakeoff will be for sale as soon as I decide...

So, For DACs, after countless rabbit hole hours researching, I think that I have narrowed it down to the Penafrips Ares 2 (cannot afford the Pontus) and MHDT Istanbul (cannot afford the Orchid or Pagoda). Cannot afford the Chord QUTest either.   But open to suggestions!

I had also considered the RME ADI-2 DAC but I am afraid that it would be too sterile/harsh/fatiguing with my Canton speakers... (the NuPrime IDA-8 is awesome, but it was fatiguing and wimpy bass with my speakers unless turned up pretty loud). So, it is not a match, and I fear that the RME might be similar.  But who knows...

Hence my interest in the power supply of the Cambridge (class XD) to compare against the Peachtree's, as well as the Penafrips and MHDT hooked up to the Cambridge to compare with the Peachtree (class D) and its internal DAC.  Of course, I'd try one of the externals with the Peachtree just to compare... 

In summary, I want wide & deep soundstage, clarity, and great sound at lower volumes but will kick it up on occasion. "3D soundstage", "holographic", etc.  

Any comments and advice on this would be immensely helpful!  I am research fatigued...

Cheers!

bogbeat

Showing 5 responses by bogbeat

bogbeat OP
33 posts
 
I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving!  I really appreciate all of the suggestions and discussion.  It is really helpful and educational. I am just getting into all of this, and clearly you all are a quite a few audio quality "revs" ahead of me, but you have given me some practical things to consider and components to aspire to!

I will try to address you all's comments.

My little home office is also my little sound cave, my guitar/studio room, etc.  And this stereo system is my primary system.  The HT system is basic and sufficient for the family upstairs. 

-- jjss49:
I agree my post is confusing.  Apologies.

  • Am I committed to the Cantons?  I'd say yes for a while until I can get some additional $$$ together.   So, I am looking for a DAC and amp to maximize the Cantons for now.  What I have bought so far is for a bake off...   
  • I was hoping that either the Cambridge or Peachtree and the Canton's will sustain me as my starter set with the addition of an external DAC to test with the Cambridge.  I would keep one of those setups for now and sell the other. The NuPrime is already up for sale... and will subsidize the DAC purchase to complete this bakeoff setup...
  • Budget? To pair with the Cambridge or Peachtree, I'd like to keep the DAC to under $1000, but if that is a waste, and $1200 brings me in a good sonic door, then I'd stretch to afford.  If you all advised me to scrap and start over,  I would sell everything and I'd say budget for amp & DAC is $2000-$2400 for now.   

  • Used ok?  Absolutely!  
-- mesch: 
Thanks very much for your questions to consider...  Hopefully my little bake off will help me answer these! RE: the MQA, In the scheme of things, I am not really concerned about that right now.  The Tidal software does some unpacking...

--big greg:
Thank you for your equipment suggestions.  I am tracking these used  now and aspiring! 
  • The Harbeths may be in my future... But cannot afford now.  But I now hear them whispering to me... (-:
  • MHDT Orchid.  Yes, one of my "stretch" DAC options. Ditto the Audio Mirror.  But the Denafrips Ares 2 may be fine.  The problem is I have to pick one, decide, and sell it if not a keeper. Which is a PITA and sucks for cash flow, especially around the holidays. 
Thanks again everyone for your patience and assistance in making my starter system the best it can be with the limited funds I that can allocate.

Have a great Sunday!
bogbeat OP
33 posts
 
Thanks a lot mesch.  Looking forward to the journey! You sent me on a journey today with this Jolida/Black Ice thing.  Looks promising.  Just difficult to find out much about them. 

Side point: I saw on their website that Jolida is/was in Brookville, MD. and totally by cosmic chance I was apparently 3 minutes from them today visiting a relative of my wife's.  

Enjoying the journey, and everyone's discussion here.  Have a great evening.
bogbeat OP
33 posts
 

Hi everyone, 

Update and advice please on evolving my starter system.  I am trying to determine my next move…  Integrate tubes into the equation? New integrated? External DAC? Etc.

In terms of “impact”/bang for buck, any advice from you all on making a strategic investment(s). Your sage thoughts please, and any brands and models of equipment recommendations as well would be greatly appreciated. New, used, it is all good.

Budget is approx. $1500-$2500 for this project.

My system and environment currently after the bake off and a couple of additions.  Streaming, etc as in the OP.

  • Peachtree Nova 300 integrated amp & DAC
  • Black Ice FOZ SS-X Sound Stage Expander w/Amperex PQ 7316 AU7 tube.  (The FOZ SS-X is connected to the Peachtree using its awesome “Loop” function, and the FOZ AU7 tube adds some warmth/mellows the highs a bit, which has been a godsend)
  • Ascend Sierra 2ex speakers. (Also, dormant Canton Vento 830.2 speakers).  I am planning on keeping the Ascends for now.
  • Rythmik Audio L12 sub-woofer (coming soon)
  • 8’x10’ room (no room treatments as of yet) 


Some possible scenarios:

  • Add a tube pre-amp and continue to leverage Peachtree as DAC and power amp? E.g. Vincent SA-T7, Black Ice, Parasound, etc preamp?
  • Add a tube DAC to the equation and leverage existing Peachtree as pre and power amp? E.g. Denafrips, MHDT, Black Ice DACs
  • Use Peachtree as a pre-amp & DAC and add tube power amp?
  • Go tube integrated or hybrid integrated e.g. Black Ice F35, Rogue Sphinx v3, Vincent SV-237MK, etc.
  • Go with different solid state amp e.g. a Parasound HINT?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
bogbeat OP
33 posts
 
Thanks a lot yysantabarbara and jjss49. You all have given me some things to think about!

yysantabarbara, that Gustard X26 Pro DAC sounds very interesting.

jjss49, To your questions:  What I feel is lacking is the 3d/holographic soundstage.  I hear that tubes somewhere in the chain help with this.  Also, without the SS-X as a tube buffer, the sound is just too "harsh".  That is true for both sets of my speakers, with both my Peachtree and my Nuprime IDA-8 amps and their respective internal DACs.  Also, I cannot use the SS-X with the Nuprime as it lacks the "loop" capability.  So that will definitely get sold.   Currently, I have to have the SS-X mellowing the sound, or I cannot bear to listen for very long!  Periodic switching it on or off confirms this.

So I guess I could put it another way--if I was to invest in 1 or 2 pieces of equipment  (tube or otherwise) for now to get me closer to 3d/holographic and less "harshness"/have the biggest impact, what is you all's opinion on what that/they would be and in what priority to purchase?

And noted about the sub impact.  It is on backorder until June... Arghhh.

Thanks again everyone's thoughts on this.
bogbeat OP
33 posts
 
Thanks rocray.
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