2. digital
  3. 194043-203462

Where Next? (Streaming Rig)

My current streaming rig is a ZeniTH mk3 into a very heavily modded Black Ice Glass fx DSD (VCap ODAM, AN Kensai, NewClassD etc) which holds its own against DACs <£4k.

Somewhen in the next 6-8 weeks once my downsizing house sale completes (at the 4th attempt) I will be in the enviable position of being able to afford what I hope will be a final but significant upgrade to my streaming rig. I'm not unhappy with the sound I'm getting and could easily live with it until I earn my wooden overcoat. However I know that this is a one time deal to take my streaming from very good to superb.

My current thoughts are to move up from the ZeniTH 3/ Black Ice, to a Pulsar and Aqua La Scala mk3 Optologic. This is based on reading both commercial and user reviews, I will ofcourse be auditioning before purchase.

The rest of my kit is: 401/Jelco SA-750D > BB3 valve phono, Lector CDP 603, MasterSounD Compact 845, Heco Direkt Dreiklangs, the room (once I move) is 21'x14'.

I like a rich, detailed organic sound signature, from experience I prefer the sonic signature of valve DACs, most SS DACs to my ears sound just sterile and too upfront.

Other DACs I've considered are the Merason DAC1 and Holo May L3 KTE unfortunately living in the UK there is no opportunity to listen to them first, and £5k+ is too much to spend on a blind punt.

What do you guys think, could I get a better combo with <£15k to play with?

NOTE: Any streamer UI needs to work with Android, don't have a PC nor any Apple products.

lurch-uk
bluethinker's avatar
bluethinker
262 posts
 

@lurch-uk - I’m also contemplating some upgrades which includes moving components to different systems in my home and office. I also have the Zenith mkiii  streamer/music server. In the future, I’d love to hear the pulsar and potentially upgrade to it. 

I also own the Merason Dac1 mkii. I had it upgraded from mki to mkii, so I’m familiar with the sonic delta between the versions. I suspect you’d be pleased with the Merason based on what you’ve described and your listening preferences. If possible, if you went that direction, I would consider searching for a used Merason Dac1 mkii, given your budget. 
 

I would also suggest doing a search here for a few specific threads related to your question. One is titled “Six Dac comparison” and another is a thread written by Verdent Audio. I’ll search for and post that thread title later today. 

soix
10,171 posts
 

Given what you’re looking for I’d be giving Lampizator DACs a very hard look.  By all accounts the Pulsar is a significant step up from the Zenith, so between the two I’d expect you’d be making a huge improvement.  Best of luck. 

gkelly's avatar
gkelly
356 posts
 

Here is what INNUOS just dropped. 
https://innuos.com/stream3/

 

More to discover