2. digital
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Which dac or other suggestions

First time poster here. I am looking for advice to increase the sound quality of my existing system. I have a Marantz SR7009 being used as a pre-amp powered by Emotiva's XPA-5, 2 revel m22 bookshelf speakers serving as my L & R, revel c52 center speakers and 2 revel timber matched C563 in ceiling rear surrounds. I mainly listen to music and switch between L &R stereo only and sometimes "all stereo" or matrix through all speakers. We do watch movies but seem happy with our home theater experience thus far although always open to suggestions. We mostly listen to music through a Sonos connect but we also do have an Orbit turntable. I know that the turntable will one day need to be upgraded to maybe a Rega RP3 or similar. I am in the process of adding two SVS SB12-nsd subs to the mix. Our room is large at 20x30x10 and I hope these subs will make some sort of impact. We also use an Apple TV. Now for my question.

I am looking to increase the sound quality of my Sonos driven music. I spoke to an audiophile (owner of Echo audio in Seattle) and he suggested a dac. In particular, because he knows I'm cheap haha!, he suggested the California Labs Sigma ii, Enlightened Audio Designs DSP-7000 mkiii, and some Krell dacs (stealth and ??) that I have never seen listed for sale. I missed an opportunity on both the Cal Labs and the EAD and I'm kicking myself. With ALL this being said, what other dacs should I consider? My budget is $750 or less and I would prefer $400 or less. Old vs new? Tube? NOS? DSD? Yadda yadda. I am looking for an increased sound stage and dynamic range. If I get more clarity and warmth then yee haw!

I appreciate all of your input in advance. Thanks for letting this first timer ramble.

Btw, I listen to mostly indie rock but I seriously dive into ALL types of music and yes I like it loud.
troydunnagan

Showing 1 response by mhart032

mhart032
34 posts
 
I have been through a ton of DACs to find some kind of improvement in my streaming audio, I didn't notice a huge improvement with any of them really. I stream via tidal or my own flac files. If you are thinking you just have to try it, I recommend the Jolida DAC III w it has Bluetooth for streaming a pretty decent tube stage and can be had for under 600. This is the only DAC I have kept with all that I've gone through. As far as the svs subs, svs makes a pretty decent sub. I have heard really highend systems with them, as well as low end. They all had great bottom end..

My advice would be to forget about a DAC, the marrantz has a built in dac, and is a pretty good preamp, specially in the Atmos category. I build a budget 9.2 theather for a friend useing that preamp and all elac ub5s for rears, fronts surrounds and atmos, McIntosh amps and 2 velodyne subs and it sounds quite good. 


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