Back to the DAC

If your system is a bit bright, like my Magnepan LRS+. Then the LIM sounds really good on it. However, there are some who feel it is not very good. All I know is that it works really well with my brighter LRS+ but not perfectly with my warmer Yamaha NS5000. Now those comments are really about my perception.

Since it worked so well with my LRS+ I wanted the same pedigree DAC with a bit less of that "musicality" for my NS5000. I hope I get that with the OG version that I should get delivery this week. This is also a discontinued DAC but I learned why it was discontinued from someone at Schitt. So that did not stop me from buying the last one.

The PBD Merlot is also a discontinued DAC and was one I was looking to get for a short time if it worked with my PBD streamer’s Plink, it did not.

@navyachts considering you are running Aurender N200, I would stick with reputable DACs in the same retail price range or more. You’re looking at $6,0000 + DACs. This criteria eliminates a lot of sideways moves and somewhat eliminates most hyped DACs. Don’t waste your time and money.

Oh and one other thing…the N200 is optimized for USB so select a DAC with solid USB implementation. Berkley Alpha for example doesn’t even feature USB input. So just be aware and do your research. 

@audphile1 all excellent points. I will further my research. As always, I really appreciate your help!

You as well @yyzsantabarbara 

…the N200 is optimized for USB so select a DAC with solid USB implementation.

That is an excellent point that needs to be emphasized. 

Into my DAC my streamer/player's AES output absolutely trumps the USB output. As @audphile1 states the N200 is the complete opposite. 

For the 20 times the number of people viewing this thread than there are the number of posters, and the same goes for all the many other "I need a new DAC" threads, just something to take into account for those attempting to do some online shopping, and narrow down some new DAC purchase, as I just went through the same exercise a few months ago. I am off the merry-go-round (for now)

This whole "digital front end" part with its permutations can be complicated.

Context is everything-In a demo, which unit was doing the clocking?  It is quite possible those who claim "DAC A was better than DAC B" we may not know exactly how it was setup or synergized with the rest of the system: Was it the streamer/player combo you heard, or was it just ethernet into the DAC, and which digital cabling etc. It matters. 

As always: in home demo's are best with YOUR streamer/player, optimally set-up based on manufacturer's recommendations or users reports. And many are now finding their streamer/players are making a larger impact on the sound quality than the DAC anyway.