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The big DAC decision

One of the challenges of building an audio system is trying to make sure that all of the individual components of that system have equivalent and compatible technical specifications. For example, it doesn’t make sense to purchase speakers that are capable of producing sound in the 5Hz to 20kHz range if your amp is only capable of sending audio signals in the 30Hz to 15kHz range to these speakers. Unless, of course, you hope to upgrade your audio system such that it can properly drive these speakers someday.

In my desire to build an audio system that has the proper balance of individual component capabilities I’ve found myself struggling over the choice of a DAC. Basic technical specifications aren’t necessarily applicable here. The foundation of my system is a Woo Audio WA-33 headphone amp and Focal Utopia headphones. My music files consist of standard CD 16bit/44kHz resolution to Hi-Res DSD files. What I’m struggling with is choosing a DAC that would allow me to get the most out of this amp and headphone pairing. From the research I’ve done so far it is clear that the $23k Meridian Audio Ultra DAC would bring out the best of any system it is connected to. But does it make sense to purchase a DAC of this quality (and price) for my humble headphone system? Or would it be more appropriate to get the Chord DAVE (setting the MQA format compatibility issue aside for this discussion)? I’m currently using an Oppo 105D as my DAC and the music sounds pretty decent, but I know my system can sound better.

So I was hoping to get some input from fellow audio enthusiasts out there to make what may be the most important decision of my system build. I’m also looking at getting a PS Audio DirectStream Power Plant 12 to power this system. Anyone out there have any suggestions or thoughts on this issue?


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Showing 4 responses by audiotroy

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,873 posts
 
There are many superb dacs out there and your headphones are excellent.

The easiest way to know is to borrow a great dac and then listen to the improvments it makes in your system if you can hear and appreciate the difference wether or not it is a speaker or headphone setup it doesn't make a difference then it is a valid upgrade.

We have heard the Merdian Dac nice piece you can do better for less money. 

You may want to consider a Lumin X1 the previous reference the S1 has been considered to be one of the best sounding streamer/dacs out there and the new X1 is reported to blow away the S1, at $13k it isn't cheap but for a world class Dac and streamer the price is reasonable the Lumin products are very musical and extremely well designed.

We are also not huge PS audio fans in terms of power products, in our tests the Passive conditioners were better.  Look at the Isotek Sigmas fantastic performace for the money. 

We have tested many brands of power conditioners from Audience, Shunyatta, Running Springs, Exact Power, Isotek, Audio Magic, Synergistic and a few others.

Best overall Isotek for the money, best performance Audio Magic.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,873 posts
 
Guys the Lumin is an excellent choice.

In one simple elegant box you have everything you need. 

The X1 is both a streamer and a Dac.

It accesses everything you could want and it is backed up by a very large stable company. 

Sonically you would have to spend $7k or more to get a complicated multi box setup which might be better.


The older S1 has been a benchmark for years the new X1 brings the Lumin hardware up to an entirely new level.

Dave and Troy 
Audio Doctor NJ Lumin dealers
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,873 posts
 
The Nyquest is excellent however at $18k it is $5k more then the Lumin and it doesnt have a FPGA archecture which allows for instant upgrading.

Like the Nyquest Lumin offers board based upgrades.

Nor does it have the superb Lumin app.

Bettering Nagra isnt hard other than analog products their digital has never faired well.,

The X1 will reset the bar for a streaming Dac for this price point. 

Which one is better will be a tough call.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ 
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,873 posts
 
Notubes there are a ton of dacs that offer the wamth of vinyl.

The Aquahifi line of dacs do, so does Metrum, Audio Note and many other dacs that are voiced musically.

The Nquist is a lovely dac and we are not saying either one of these dacs is better than the other.

Lumins products are also modular with separate power supplies as well as separate analog and dac boards, if Lumin chooses to their entire product can be upgraded easily.

We sell alot of dacs, lumin, Emm, Light Harmonic, NAIM, Mytek, T plus A, Aurender, Nad, M2 Tech, Cary Audio, and a few others.

Lumin makes an outstanding product that offers outstanding sound quality.

The Nquist is a very good product is it $5k better than the Lumin X1 or is it better at all that is the question.

Considering the X1 just lunched you will have to see one thing Lumin has is outstanding engineering that a division of a fortune 500 company can amply supply. 

Check Lumins track record every streamer they have built has received rave reviews and at the time of launch was rated as being one of the best sonding devices at their price point.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

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