Should I add a DAC ? Which one ? Never used one?


Hi

I recently switched to a multichannel but am trying to still focus on 2 channel as I have 1200+ Jazz CDs and 50+ SACDs. I have:

Magnepan 3.6r fronts
MG 1.6qr rears
phantom center
Velodyne HSG-15 just for HT.

Bel Canto Pre6 mch preamp
CAL Audio 2500 MCA (500x5 - which can be run in 2ch mode that is like having 2 monoblocks)

Arcam FMJ DV27A
Sony XA777ES
Sony C555ES for lighter listening

Interconnects: Kimber Hero from Pre to amp; Harmonic Tech Rainbow for DVD/DVD-A; Acoustic Zen Action 7 for SACD multi; Harmonic Tech Truthlink for analog CD; Acoustic Zen MCsq digital interconnects

Speaker: Fronts- Synergistic Research Alpha X2 Active (speakon to biwire bananas); rears Proco-Fatmax 8AWG (4 stranded 11AWG); 10 guage multistrand cooper wire between exsternal X-over and speakers and between tweeter attenuator.

I have a great 14 foot wide soundstage on my long wall with good transparency and detail from side to side, not as much in depth.

Would adding a DAC improve my redbook from eitherthe Arcam or XA777 ??
I have never used one and none of my local dealers have any of the ones I wanted to try.

I was considering a used version of one of the following:
Benchmark DAC
Bel Canto DAC2
MF TriVista 21 DAC (I use to have the MF TriVista Integrated and liked it a lot with the 3.6s)

Anyone have experience between any of these players ? I have 2 Acoustic Zen MCsq digital interconnects already. Any others I should consider. Would like to stay around ~1000 if it will improve my sources, could go up to ~2000. Would I be better off buying a dedicated CD player ????????????

Would like to improve transparency and detail further if possible - while still being musical with acoustic jazz small cobo material -- I collect trumpet players.

Thanks

AL
akozar

Showing 1 response by rsjm80

Al,
Have you considered an Isolation system (for far less money) as opposed to a new DAC? If you take into consideration that for a farction of the cost you may very well find your troubles elminated. I myself am in that process for my ARC CD2 and the reports (from other members) are very favorable, also as I've found out this route would be something else I'd just need to take anyway and I was lookinfg at a DAC(again as I had one before w/my Proceed PDT2) Isolation/vibration control really does make a difference. But this is a subjective suggestion.