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newbie DAC question

Hello!

I broke into the HiFi world about two years ago and l would love to know if a DAC would improve my system in a way that's worth my while. I currently have the following setup:

- Elac Debut B6s
- Music Hall A15.2 integrated
- Onkyo C7030 CD player
- Sextet and Bel interconnnects borrowed from a buddy
- Speakers are on stands carefully placed where they work best with the carpeted room.

I've read good reviews on the Musical Fidelity V90DAC and several Schiit models, but I can't determine, based on any literature out there, if my setup is at a level that would make a DAC worthwhile (or even noticeable). If it WOULD make a difference, does anyone have any suggestions for coaxial or optical interconnnects to go along with it?

Thank you much!
kremrik
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,867 posts
 
It can and might in your specific case but hard to say for certain.

If you think your sound is deficient in some way, best to focus on in what ways and focus on how to improve.   Focusing on a DAC without being certain what aspects of the sound you want to change or improve may not deliver the desired results.  
kremrik OP
18 posts
 
Thanks for getting back to me. I'm looking for a little more clarity on vocals, and a little more "life" for delicate passages, if that makes sense. I've used DAC/amps for headphones before and would describe the difference (between using and not using one) as "removing a film" from over the music, and I wonder if I could achieve similar results with a stereo?

Thanks again!
yage
400 posts
 
You've got a good setup there. I think you'd be able to notice differences if sources were swapped. I've heard the Schiit Bifrost Multibit, but only in a headphone environment. It certainly has the clarity you seek, though it costs twice as much as the Musical Fidelity V90-DAC.
jburidan
803 posts
 
Broke in? So you're the one who took my speakers :)
kremrik OP
18 posts
 
@yage thanks! And by sources do you mean CD player? Or do you mean it'll improve with the addition of the DAC on top of the CDP?

@jburidan they should be, I've had them for over a month and they have gotten several hours a day of play time. But I got the B6's off of Amazon actually :)
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