T+A DAC200 vs PSAudio Direct Stream MkII vs MCD12000?

@mhwilliford I have a number of clients that have purchased both the N200 and DAC 200 on my counsel. It’s a popular combination that sounds excellent. They also look great together as their form factors are similar. 

Personally I prefer the N200 via spdif into the DAC 200 unless you have a TOTL USB cable like the FTA Sinope. Using a quality coax into the DAC 200 results in really natural sonics even in PCM mode as it takes advantage of the clock in the N200 and then gets reclocked by the DAC 200. 

I think you have a good plan for this. I thought I would mention that you may very well find the DAC200 spectacular on PCM with your Aurender unit. Many do. 

There are so many variables. The quality of the streamer (you have a very good one), and input source on your DAC (s/pdif, AES, USB) and quality of your network in front of your source all make a difference. 

I mention these things so you are not dissuaded from trying the DAC200. PCM was very good - and I was comparing it to another $7500 DAC and a $10,000 DAC in PCM. In my system - because I could - DSD was better. 

Good luck with your car restoration. We hope you come back to this thread and let us know what you found.

Best,

Thanks all - these are good thoughts.  I am amidst a car restoration project, so just refining my game plan until I have disposable funds for this purchase.  I am thinking I will need to purchase both the DAC200 and PSA DS MkII, audition in home, and return one or the other dependent on best system fit.  

The idea of converting all my PCM files to DSD would be a bit of a step backward in the journey since I really do like my Aurender N200 (especially now that it is becoming Roon compatible), so working very well with PCM as the "feed stock" is probably a criteria I should have mentioned.

Thanks again everyone.

I haven’t heard the PS Audio DSD Mk II, but I had a very heavily modified MK I as I was one of those on the PS Audio Forums that made every improvement possible, including the upgraded Edcor transformers, external power supply board with a Farad Super3 Linear Power Supply, EMI protective sheeting, etc, all which made very big improvements. The DSD MK II was based on many of these improvements. When I became a T+A dealer months after, the DAC 200 easily surpassed my modded DSD MK I. That’s all I can say about that, though I know PS Audio continues to release firmware upgrades to their MK II. 

I can’t comment on that particular McIntosh unit, but I haven’t been impressed with any McIntosh DAC I’ve come across. 

@mhwilliford 

My apologies for not being clearer. I think the DAC200 and PS Audio to be competitors. The Mac was the outlier - sorry for the confusion.

As I noted, I haven’t heard the PS Audio unit, but understand it to be quite good.

I’ve owned or auditioned comparably priced DACs from Auralic, Simaudio and Linn Organik. I’ve also auditioned much more expensive DACs from Linn, Ideon and T+A’s reference series (though I didn’t try DSD on that unit because I didn’t know then what I know now).

On PCM files, the DAC200 was similar in performance to the others (very good, different, but not necessarily better or worse). It wasn’t until I fed it DSD files (I have a processor that let’s me convert all files to DSD) that I noticed the benefits claimed by T+A of having a separate true 1 bit processing path for DSD. On those, the T+A pulled ahead of everything else I had compared it to anywhere near its price. You can use HQ player software to accomplish the same thing.

If you don’t have a dealer to work with, I can comfortably recommend you reach out to Juan @blisshifi. His guidance was particularly helpful to me and he’s not pushy in the least. One of the good guys.

As @soix notes, there is a lot of good competition at this price point to consider that might be an even better fit for you, depending on what you’re looking for. For me, I can gladly say the positive reviews and chatter about the DAC200 proved true. On DSD, it’s very, very good.  

As always, YMMV so a home audition is a must. 

Best,

I’m running N200 with PS Audio DSD MkI now. Bricasti M3 was the DAC I had prior to the PS Audio. Both DACs preformed extremely well with the N200. I’m using AQ Diamond USB cable.
I haven’t heard the DSD MkII but the sound of the MkI is natural, resolving and not analytical at all. Relaxed and laid back. Great texture in the bass. I’m assuming the MkII retains the house sound and improves on everything at the same time. I’ve not heard the T+A DAC 200 so I can’t say if you will like it or not. But I’m 100% sure either of the DACs will be a step up from the in built module. 

As posted above, I currently use the DA2 module in my McIntosh MC2700.  My "next DAC" budget is ~$6-$8k, and based reading many reviews (unfortunately going to an audio salon and listening to DACs is not an option in my medium-sized town) I've consistently come back to the DAC200 and PSA DS MkII as my prime candidates.  Holo and Denafrips have also come on and off the list at different times.  All thoughts welcome.

Why just these three when there are tons of great DACs out there these days?  Unless I’m missing something I think you’d be better off sharing what DAC you’re using now and what specific improvements and sound characteristics you’re looking for.  There are probably several others very well worth considering that would coincide with your individual tastes/preferences.  Just my $0.02 FWIW.

Outside of the Mac (which is an obvious outlier, though intriguing because of the CD player aspect, and choice of running tube or SS output stage), why do you see the DAC200 and PSA DS MkII an unusual comparison?  I agree MAC is not on top of, or has not been on top of their DAC game to date - I am running now with the DA2 built into my C2700, and while it is actually quite decent, I feel there is room for improvement now that my source is an Aurender N200.

Any thoughts you have on the DAC200 vs. anything else you have directly compared it to, or just on it's own merits is appreciated.

That is an unusual trio for comparison so I’m not surprised you haven’t received any feedback. I’m curious: have you heard all three DACs or are you considering auditioning these three and are wondering if they’re appropriate choices for consideration?

I have direct experience with the DAC200 as I own it and have auditioned a number of competing units in that price range. Happy to try to answer questions if you have them. I understand the MkII version of the PSAudio to be quite good, but haven’t auditioned it.

the Mac?  My previous experience of auditions and my dealer’s direct experience is that digital is not their fast ball. At least yet. Perhaps this one is different.