*DAC


I am down to the last piece of the puzzle. I am very happy with the sound of my system at this point, so I’m not sure if the DAC needs to be improved on. What I am looking for is to hear those background subtleties in the music a little more pronounced. The strum of a guitar, the stroke of the piano keys, the clicks, ticks & tingles that accompany the music. I do here that now, I just wondered if there is a way to elaborate on those background sounds (details) a bit more.

Is it the DAC that will make this happen? If it is, they say my Gustard R26 is as good as a $5K DAC, how far over that $5K do you think I have to go?

Thank you for your help and suggestions and the best to you all over the holiday season and beyond!

PS: I listen mostly to Jazz

128x128navyachts

This is what helped my system.  I'm sure you have done some of these things.  I went for low cost options that ended up paying off.

Dedicated power line or if you use lots of power.

EMI/RFI filter on incoming power

EMI/RFI on router from internet Co.

EMI/RFI on ethernet cable to streamer.

Power cords

Good interconnects.  Use contact enhancer.  Stabilant 22 is reasonable. 

Isolate speakers from floor. Spikes won't do it.

Use a good equipment rack

Isolate all components.  I used Herbie's.

You could do this and then the DAC.  Just my thoughts.  

I have Chord TT2 with Mscaler, and a pair of TeddyPardo LPS. I think the new PS Audio Direct Stream MK2 would be a great choice especially pre-loved. Chord Dave is way out of your range. Maybe a Chord Qutest, with an MScaler. I looked at your system. Lose the blue jeans cables they aren’t even close to the level of your system. You need to upgrade all your cables and add a really good power line conditioner. Depending on how deep you want to dive you could do something like all AudioQuest. Thats would be simple and a huge improvement in sound quality. You could also do all Shunyata. My system is all Audience FrontRow for signal. USB, speaker, interconnect. Then all Shunyata for Power. Upgrading all your cables and power will be a monumental improvement. 

Hmmm... Sorting through all the great comments and recommendations made for DAC’s/cables, etc., perhaps your R26 DAC choice may not need to be replaced... Yet... Tweaks such as analog/digital cabling, making sure your Ethernet signals are clean from the modem to the server if you’re using one, can enhance your music enjoyment prior to changing DAC’s. I personally have a Terminator-Plus DAC and the sound from it is superb. However just adding in an Ethernet Regenerator from Uptone-Audio took the micro-detail and dynamics up a notable level, making the streamed music sound extremely close to the music stored on the SSD drive in my music server. Also, good digital cabling makes notable positive differences in sound quality. What I’ve found along my digital journey is that it’s not always the price/type of the digital component as it is the ability to make changes that will minimize noise/jitter. Ie... Precision clocking, better digital cabling, (good grounding) minimizing noise, cleaning up the Ethernet and USB signals with Ethernet and USB regenerators, have helped me better hear changes in different digital equipment. Finally, if you have the ability to audition another local audiophile’s DAC or a local stereo shop will lend one to you to audition, this in my opinion will be better than just buying something. Synergy of components in your specific system is of real importance. Good luck in your search !

IMHO if you want pluckier guitar plucks and other sharper transients, that's probably not a DAC thing.  You can spend the thousands on the DACs that are recommended above and I doubt it will highlight transients more than your current DAC.

Unless you're talking about transient bass events (then it's a subwoofer or bass driver question), to me that is largely a speaker issue that is also heavily dependent on source material. The good news is that playing with the toe-in on your speakers can make a big difference.  But ultimately if you are not happy with the pluckiness of the guitar plucks, speakers are what you'd look at.

Also, be careful what you wish for.  When your system reinforces those plucky transients, you are also in danger of brightness and sibilance.  So you may very well get what you want at the expense of long-term listener fatigue. 

Audio is about compromises.  

@theeraser I have heard good things about Audio Note as well.

@daledeee1 Could you elaborate on the EMI/RFI filters and how to hook them up please?

@anzaanimalclinic Drastic!

@axeis1 Same as the Audio Note, hears the TT2 and MScaler were a great match up. but pricey!

@liquidsound Good common-sense advice, thank you.

@jji666 Did I say common sense? Well said sir!