What direction with new DAC?

If you're happy with what you got and are not interested in DSD, then why change at all? Do you really think there's a D/A in your price range that truly outclasses your Wyred?

Certainly willing based on the reviews to sink another $1509 into the Wyred SE upgrade just for the better components and Femto clock. Just was wondering if there was a better alternative. The Yggy takes a vastly different approach but near impossible for an audition.

Dmm53 hi, if your preference is for RedBook not your not interested in DSD. Then I would get the Schitt as it has a proper R2R ladder dac for the best conversion, your wired for sound has Delta Sigma.

From Schitt, and others say the same for RedBook replay, and I also have found this as well.

"21 Bits, No Guessing: Mission-Critical D/A Technology
When doctors are trying to diagnose whether you have gas or cancer from MRI results, or when the military is trying to ensure a missile hits an ammo dump and not a nunnery next door, they don’t use “24 bit” or “32 bit” delta-sigma D/A converters. Instead, they rely on precision, multibit ladder DACs, like the Analog Devices AD5791. This allows them the bit-perfect precision they need for critical applications, rather than the guesswork of a delta-sigma. We chose this same critical technology for Yggdrasil. Following these unique D/A converters are sophisticated discrete JFET buffers and summers."

Cheers George

Thanks George. Most of my music is PC based at this point with a fair amount of hi res downloads using JRiver. I know my budget is slightly restrictive but I don't want to invest in what may be now inferior technology. Looking for improvements n imaging and soundstage.

I love ladder dacs. The best dac I have heard is the Audio-GD Master 7 dac. $2400 * parallel 1704UK ladder chips. This dac does up to 24/192 No DSD. Withthis dac you will never miss DSD
Alan

Not familiar with the Audio-GD master but will investigate. In my price range.

Dmm53 I don't understand

The Schiit Yggy is as you say, also Multibit "inferior technology" Yet you said "interested in the Schiit Yggy"

Just like the Audio GD Master above with it's PCM1704 also multibit dac chips as well???

Cheers George

I was not referring to the Yggy as inferior but Really asking if the Wyred Dac2 was. My concern is that I might be pumping money into the upgrade and not getting better technology

There's a Bel Canto DAC3.5VB for sale here now in your price range. I had the DAC3VB in my system, and its imaging and soundstaging were outstanding (although it did everything well), which is why I'm recommending the 3.5VB for you in particular. If I were you I'd buy it, and if it doesn't absolutely blow away your W4S just resell it. I'd bet big bucks you won't, and if I could've afforded it I'd still have the DAC3VB in my system today. At the very least you'll have a reference for how your DAC compares to one of the better DACs out there. And no, it doesn't do DSD. Best of luck.

With any new or cutting edge technology you are always best off waiting as long as you can to jump aboard in that new technologies continue to improve and mature over time and with successful ones prices tend to go down as well.

Thanks Mapman. Enjoy your posts. Had a pair of Ohm F's waaay back in the day.

With the almost daily changes in computer audio, when do you jump in for an upgrade? I am sure if I wait another 12 months, something better will be available...but like the vast majority of the audio community, looking for the "fix' now.

The Yggy is the best I've heard in its price range by far. You have no risk trying it. If I had the money right now, that's what I would do. Cheers,
Spencer

"With the almost daily changes in computer audio, when do you jump in for an upgrade?"

Good question.

The easy answer is whenever you think you need one.

DACs in general have continued to improve and the cost for excellent performance gone down in recent years as well.

I have two SS DACS in my good systems currently, one, in my big, main system is an mhdt Constantine that is several years old. The other is built into the Bel Canto C5i integrated, which is newer and a current model in teh BC line, that I use in my smaller system. I use similar OHM speakers in each but the sound of each is much different for other reasons. Most likely the different DACs used and and ARC tube pre-amp I use in the larger system. But both are very musical and I can sit and listen for hours. I suspect I could do better than the older Constantine in terms of detail and resolution I hear in the newer DAC. But I won't know until I decide to try something newer and different. But I also tend to believe if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I have yet to give DSD specifically a second thought.

Mapman, isn't this whole hobby built on want instead of need? I want a new dac. Certainly don't need one.

"Mapman, isn't this whole hobby built on want instead of need?"

True. But if one truly loves music, or anything for that matter I think there is what might be called an inherent need to be able to get the most you can out of the time you invest, without breaking the bank in the process of course. YMMV in terms of what exactly that entails.

10-27-15: Dmm53
I was not referring to the Yggy as inferior but Really asking if the Wyred Dac2 was. My concern is that I might be pumping money into the upgrade and not getting better technology

If as you stated "I have little interest in the DSD" then for Redbook replay the Schiit Yggy with its Multibit dac should better for Redbook, even if it is a step backward in technology from the WFS dac. Which is only a step forward from the Schitt in technology for DSD replay, not PCM (Redbook)
But I understand that the Schitt with an optional add on board is able to do DSD, how well is another question.
"Upgradability: Fully modular architecture. Separate digital input board, USB input board, DSP engine board, and DAC/analog output boards."

All depends if you want to do DSD, if so, you need a Delta Sigma based dac which the WFS is.

There are now a few R2R Multibits dacs that can give you the best of both worlds DSD or Redbook but they are very expensive 10 to 20 x your budget.

Cheers George

I am definitely leaning towards giving the Schiit a chance and keeping the Wyred until I'm satisfied. Can always sell the Yggy if disappointed. I haven't read anything here or anywhere else that wasn't extremely positive. Little to lose.

Thanks everyone.

Bel Canto DAC2.7.

What about the Chord Hugo...and there's now a Hugo TT version (same DAC but designed for the home)? People have been saying for a while that you need to spend $7,000 or more to better it and many don't. A completely different chip set and approach which I suspect is going to alter designs going forward. I've just bought a Melco N1A and plugged it directly (USB) into the Hugo (chucked the streamer) and it sounds brilliant. I use the Linn Kinsky app and it works well. For the first time I've heard something that gets close to my vinyl system. My other components are Audio Research Ref 3 and Ref 110 with Sonus Faber Cremonas that I want to upgrade to Wilson Sabrinas. Just a thought.

Thanks. Actually looking at the Chord as well. Always near the to of everyone's lists.

Just an update. caught up in the holidays and haven't made a move yet. For a similar price to the Yggy is the Lampi Amber. Again, impossible to listen to. Anyone with experience listening to both or at least the Amber?

You would likely get a bigger improvement by improving your digital source to reduce jitter.. There are several ways to accomplish this, but your particular DAC has I2S, so a USBConverter like the Off-Ramp 5 that can drive this could be an option.. Also, replacing a computer or transport with a really good server like the Antipodes will make a further improvement.