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Should I Get a DAC ?

Currently I am using an ARC CD3 mk2 in my system connected to a Rogue tube preamp. The CD3 using an Audience Powerchord sounds terrific; very dynamic with excellent imaging, but it is SS and with that comes some harshness when playing certain CDs.
I listen to classical music exclusively and was wondering if adding an asynchronous TUBE DAC to the output of the CDP would provide a more analogue presentation.

I have a hearing issue that makes high frequencies intolerable and when I used a Jolida CDP previously, the tube output helped with my problem. Of course, the Jolida isn’t in the same league as the ARC.

My budget is about $500 not including cables and I’ve been looking at the Jolida Glass Tube DAC.

The ARC has an excellent master clock and from what I understand about digital, the external DAC would then reclock the stream. That is why I’m looking for advice from those who know digital. What are your thoughts?
lowrider57

Showing 6 responses by lowrider57

lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
5,418 posts
 
Thanks for weighing in, Al. A notch filter is an interesting concept; if we were mixing in an analogue studio (which is part of my work experience), that would have been an option that would have been explored when dealing with some problem frequencies. I've never seen one for home use except in an EQ.
I really love this ARC CDP and would hate to give up on it. For the most part, classical music is sounding so smooth and sweet to me. BTW, it's not only my HiFi from which I experience my hearing issue; it's also every day sounds and the worst offender is hearing applause on a talk-show thru TV speakers. (it's all mids and highs compressed). I should pursue my problem with an audiologist and isolate the frequencies, but when tested they considered it a minor problem.
As good as the CD3 mk2 is, it is the entry level model and possibly could use a reclocking device.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
5,418 posts
 
Thanks, Lynne. I have plenty of power, 600wpc into 4 ohms (Sunfire 300 amp, PSB Synch's) and in my 12'x16' room the bass is deep and tight.
Currently I have metal tweeters and I know that my next speaker upgrade I will try a soft dome tweeter even though I've been told that my speakers are not bright.

But as you know, your opinion is the only one that counts when building a system.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
5,418 posts
 
That's right, Grannyring...sensitivity to highs which can result in pain, plus tinnitus which is minor.

As far as pwr. conditioning, I have a Blue Circle PC + 2 BC pwr filters inline. The Audience Powerchord smoothed out the CDP tremendously.

I like the timbre of my system and I now know that the quality of the CD source material can present a problem for me. To others that have heard the same CD thru my system, no problem.

So, at this point I'm wondering if I should use the ARC CD3 as a transport only and buy a Synchro-mesh. Having said that, I would only have a $500 budget for a DAC which is why I was looking at the Jolida. That is my dilemma and thanks for all the input so far.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
5,418 posts
 
Elizabeth, I guess I knew that would be the response regarding the excellent D/A in the ARC. After I posted this I realised that I left something out the question.

My post should really be asking what about an external TUBE DAC with a Synchro-Mesh or similar inline? Maybe only Audio-engineer can answer that part.

You bring up a good point regarding cables; I am using all Cardas Parsec and the Audience Powerchord on the CDP. The upgrade of the Powerchord has already smoothed out the highs in a big way. BTW, "massed strings" and violin solos are already sounding very smooth and I think that is a good benchmark.

The sound I am looking for is going to be unique only to myself, due to my hearing condition. I think what I'm looking for is a way to round out the highs the way a tube would.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
5,418 posts
 
so Solid state is not necessarily the problem

Yes, I think you're right. Better cables did improve the performance of the deck and as I said earlier with my string section test, this CDP is pretty damn smooth.

Arnettpartners and Timrhu; so you can relate to my issue with high freqs. I have Hyperacusis, so I've been looking for a solution w/o installing a EQ. I can hear up to 19kHz, but it's actually a small range of high frequencies that bother me.
I guess I could change preamp tubes (again) and roll off the highs. Short of that, I don't know.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
5,418 posts
 
Chayro; I've seen that. It will be interesting to try at home. In the days when I was mixing audio for television, we always had Auratone's for the final mix.

http://www.bobhodas.com/examining-the-yamaha-ns-10m.php
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