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Time to upgrade DACs

I am currently running a Marantz HD DAC-1 with a Bluesound Node 2i. With a $2,500 budget, I can't decide between the Benchmark DAC3 HGC and the Mytek HiFi Brooklyn DAC+. My streaming service is Qobuz. 

Please help me decide which one to go with and why? Other recommendations will also be appreciated.

My other equipment is YBA Integre DT amp (have 2 for bi-amping), Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home speakers, dual REL T9/i subs, good interconnects, speaker wires, and PCs. The room 15.5' X 20'  (sloped ceiling 8' at speaker end rising to 16') has been well treated with 10 X 4'x8'x4" acoustic panels.

My other quandary is whether or not to sell all off the speakers, ad the $2,500, and buy a new pair of Tekton Design Moabs and keep the Marantz HD DAC-1 for now.

Thanks for your help!

ericnicky

Showing 1 response by gregm

gregm
3,411 posts
 
Rather than solve the dilemma, speakers or DAC, let me suggest a 2-300$ alternative: a super re-energizer & reclocker like the one I use. (Fantastic little device, kudos to my dealer!) You should expect a fuller sound with better hi & low-end extension from your current DAC

The reclocker lives between the source and the dac and cleans USB noise, energy, & phase issues. -
In fact, I now daisy-chained two 3Rs and gave up on replacing the DAC (for now).

Check the improvement such a device makes and decide if you still want to change the DAC. Even if you spring for a new DAC you will still keep the reclocker -- it is useful even on a 100k MSB (I tried my 3R on one). Regards

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