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Should I Get a DAC ?

Currently I am using an ARC CD3 mk2 in my system connected to a Rogue tube preamp. The CD3 using an Audience Powerchord sounds terrific; very dynamic with excellent imaging, but it is SS and with that comes some harshness when playing certain CDs.
I listen to classical music exclusively and was wondering if adding an asynchronous TUBE DAC to the output of the CDP would provide a more analogue presentation.

I have a hearing issue that makes high frequencies intolerable and when I used a Jolida CDP previously, the tube output helped with my problem. Of course, the Jolida isn’t in the same league as the ARC.

My budget is about $500 not including cables and I’ve been looking at the Jolida Glass Tube DAC.

The ARC has an excellent master clock and from what I understand about digital, the external DAC would then reclock the stream. That is why I’m looking for advice from those who know digital. What are your thoughts?
128x128lowrider57
vicdamone
850 posts
 
An Audiophelleo converter may be of interest to you.

Personally, I'm rethinking my digital front end. This is way out of your budget but... I recently listened to an Antipodes Reference Server/Streamer in a direct comparison with an SSD upgraded 2009 Mac Mini. Also in the mix were a Benchmark DAC II and a Metrum Octave v2.

Everybody there were very impressed by the the improvements the Antipodes had on the system regardless of which DAC was in use. Both DACs output improved with the Antipodes. After returning home I read the Antipodes outlook on digital reproduction or more appropriately delivery of the digital signal.

If anything it makes this old analog fud question the overall knowledge of the digital community. If you believe that everything matters within an audio system then not only does the origin of the digital signal have to be critical but so does everything in its path.

My analog based system is tube based. I'm convinced that digital implementation is critical. While a tube design may float your boat I don't believe the use of tubes are a panacea for lifeless digital sound.

An Audiophelleo converter may of interest to you. Personally, I'm rethinking
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lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57 OP
5,397 posts
 
Elizabeth, I guess I knew that would be the response regarding the excellent D/A in the ARC. After I posted this I realised that I left something out the question.

My post should really be asking what about an external TUBE DAC with a Synchro-Mesh or similar inline? Maybe only Audio-engineer can answer that part.

You bring up a good point regarding cables; I am using all Cardas Parsec and the Audience Powerchord on the CDP. The upgrade of the Powerchord has already smoothed out the highs in a big way. BTW, "massed strings" and violin solos are already sounding very smooth and I think that is a good benchmark.

The sound I am looking for is going to be unique only to myself, due to my hearing condition. I think what I'm looking for is a way to round out the highs the way a tube would.
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