Peachtree DAC-ITx

ROHfan

Been looking at this on Amazon. It's got some great reviews so I was hoping someone here has heard it before. I was originally looking at the Cambridge DacMagic 100 but was steered towards the Peachtree. I'd be using it in conjunction with my Oppo 103 whose analog output is bright and fatiguing.

tonyb

You sure it's the OPPO that's bright and fatiguing ? Use the digital outputs and see how that sounds. Whats the rest of the system and cables look like ? Have you fooled around with any of the settings ?

ROHfan

tonyb, I'm pretty sure. I've had that going directly to my Emo amp, through a tube pre and to the Emo, and now through a little bear tube pre going to the Parasound amp. It's just bright as heck. A DAC was suggested to me in another post so I figured I'd ask here.

ROHfan

For the interconnects I've used Kimber cables, Audioquest Evergreens, and my own custom made with bulk cable bought from Doug.

nooshinjohn

I would start with the amp.... Parasound, Simaudio, Rogue and Rotel, all used of course. They can be had for a great price, and will vastly improve your listening experience. Another amp to look for is the Nakamichi PA7.

halo

I was thinking about purchasing a DAC as well and these look interesting:

Musical Fidelity V90 DAC $299

Peachtree Audio DAC-iT X DAC-iT X $299

TEAC UD-301 $399

Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100 $299

TNHNDYMAN

ROHfan- I am running a Peachtree DAC-iT (earlier version) with the separate X1 asynchorus usb adapter and really enjoy the sound. It got great reviews in most budget DAC shootouts a couple of years ago. Better can be had, but it's a great place to start. If you are interested, I may be letting mine go soon.

tonyb

ROHfan wrote: »

tonyb, I'm pretty sure. I've had that going directly to my Emo amp, through a tube pre and to the Emo, and now through a little bear tube pre going to the Parasound amp. It's just bright as heck. A DAC was suggested to me in another post so I figured I'd ask here.

Sounds like a bunch of stuff that from where I sit doesn't gell well with each other.

You need to start with the basics, a decent pre amp and amp. BTW....is this just for 2 channel or are you wanting to watch movies too with the same system ? I ask because I want to know how that oppo is to fit in.

The parasound amp is fine, the emo amp isn't going to help you at all with a brighter top end. The little bear pre....if that's the 40 buck one I'm thinking of, is next to worthless imho. No offense, your just not going to get the benefits of tubes from a 40 buck piece of hardware. There was a Dared for sale in the FM, much better than the little bear. If your looking to do movies too, a Marantz receiver would be the most economical and you can kill a few birds with one stone.

Hard to go further without knowing a budget. If your dead set on just a dac, you'd need a warm sounding one. Anything from Cary, Musical fidelity M1, PS Audio dl3, the Chord PFB mentioned, but that has limited connections....just to name a few off the top of my head.

Find yourself a set of used Reality speaker cables. They can be had for around 150 bucks. If your using the lower level kimber IC's, move up the chain a few notches. The others imho aren't doing you any favors for that top end either.

Before you rush out and start changing things up though, get the amp and pre...or receiver straightened out. The Parasound is fine, but get a decent pre or receiver and go from there. We can talk cables after you get the engine straightened out.

jeremymarcinko

halo wrote: »

I was thinking about purchasing a DAC as well and these look interesting:

Musical Fidelity V90 DAC $299

Peachtree Audio DAC-iT X DAC-iT X $299

TEAC UD-301 $399

Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100 $299

I use the Musical Fidelity V90...and think it sounds great. The build quality is excellent also.

ROHfan

nooshinjohn wrote: »

I would start with the amp.... Parasound, Simaudio, Rogue and Rotel, all used of course. They can be had for a great price, and will vastly improve your listening experience. Another amp to look for is the Nakamichi PA7.

I'm using a Parasound HCA-1000A.

tonyb

I forgot to mention, a used parasound P5, which comes with a warmer sounding dac built in may be your best bet yet. For around 8 bones used, you get a dac and a pretty good pre amp to go along with that Parasound amp. You kill 2 birds with one stone, less cables to buy to boot.

ROHfan

Tonyb,

My system pulls double duty HT and 2ch. I recently bought a Pio VSX-1120K from a member here. I like it a lot. For movies it's about the best I've heard. Of course the front stage is pre-outted to the Parasound. I had a Marantz receiver but it was in the shop multiple times so I'm kind of soured on that brand. It did sound very good, however.

The speaker cables I'm using are also from a member here. They're very good, but I forget the name. Would have to check and get back to you on it. I'm using Audioquest Evergreens as my ICs.

I'm intrigued by the Peachtree I mentioned earlier. And in researching your DAC suggestions, I found this one on the Zon:

http://www.amazon.com/PS-Audio-Digital-Link-III/dp/B001N3TPWW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459690275&sr=8-1&keywords=PS+Audio+dl3

It's used, but the reviews are stellar. As for a budget, of course, I have to keep it under 500. Thanks for all the input, guys. Keep it comin'!

halo

jeremymarcinko wrote: »

I use the Musical Fidelity V90...and think it sounds great. The build quality is excellent also.

I've never owned any MF gear. I know @F1nut is a fan of them and that speaks well. I only hesitate due to reviews, plural, saying that the V90 is light on the bottom end of the frequency reproduction; that it's "polite" and doesn't hit as hard as some of the others that I am considering.

What are your thoughts on that? Have you compared the V90 to any other DAC?

Lastly, this was released in 2013 so it isn't exactly up to date.

tonyb

That's why my suggestion was towards the MF M-1, it's a better dac than the V90 and used are around 400 bucks these days.

ROHfan wrote: »

Tonyb,

My system pulls double duty HT and 2ch. I recently bought a Pio VSX-1120K from a member here. I like it a lot. For movies it's about the best I've heard. Of course the front stage is pre-outted to the Parasound. I had a Marantz receiver but it was in the shop multiple times so I'm kind of soured on that brand. It did sound very good, however.

The speaker cables I'm using are also from a member here. They're very good, but I forget the name. Would have to check and get back to you on it. I'm using Audioquest Evergreens as my ICs.

I'm intrigued by the Peachtree I mentioned earlier. And in researching your DAC suggestions, I found this one on the Zon:

http://www.amazon.com/PS-Audio-Digital-Link-III/dp/B001N3TPWW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459690275&sr=8-1&keywords=PS+Audio+dl3

It's used, but the reviews are stellar. As for a budget, of course, I have to keep it under 500. Thanks for all the input, guys. Keep it comin'!

OK, Gotcha man. You have the receiver and the Parasound together. Have you tried running the oppo HDMI into the receiver ? If you like the receiver and Parasound combo, take the oppo out of the equation by using the digital outputs/HDMI. That will bypass the oppos dac and use the receivers, if that sound is more pleasing to you. You also nix the influence the analog rca cables have on the sound too.

The Parasound P5 is made for your situation too with it's HT pass thru. In my mind, that's your ticket.

ROHfan

I have the Oppo HDMI going in to the Pio. It sounds good although I think I'm going to try using the Oppo's coax out into the Pio. Would the receiver use the same DAC for Coax as it does for HDMI? If so, I shouldn't hear a difference.

Just found this, BTW:

http://www.amazon.com/Musical-Fidelity-MFVDAC2-V-DAC-MKII/dp/B001P6FO5E

jeremymarcinko

I have not compared it to any other stand alone DAC, but have compared it to the 24/192 Wolfson in my Onkyo A9050 Integrated, The 32/384 proprietary DAC in my Yamaha BDA-1040 Universal/SACD player, and the 24/192 Burr-Brown DAC in the AVENTAGE AVR. Also I have used this DAC in both systems, the RTI12/XPA1, and with the Wharfdale Diamonds/ATI combo. In all situations the V90 was more transparent and detailed overall just a more enjoyable listening experience. It is a upconverting DAC so the signal gets reclocked and outputs and 32/384 which allegedly reduces the noise floor, which may be the reason it sounds more transparent to me. I would imagine that the Peachtree and Cambridge DACs also do a great job, and I considered them too, but purchased the V90 do to its beautiful metal casing and 32 bit upconversion, the reviews were overall very good.

ROHfan

I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on the Peachtree Audio DAC-iT X. It's from Amazon, so I'll have no problems returning it if I feel the addition doesn't add value to my rig.

tonyb

ROHfan wrote: »

I have the Oppo HDMI going in to the Pio. It sounds good although I think I'm going to try using the Oppo's coax out into the Pio. Would the receiver use the same DAC for Coax as it does for HDMI? If so, I shouldn't hear a difference.

Just found this, BTW:

http://www.amazon.com/Musical-Fidelity-MFVDAC2-V-DAC-MKII/dp/B001P6FO5E

I believe so, though you may hear a slight difference due to the cable itself. The VDAC is more so a computer solution, the M-1 dac is where you want to be in that brand for a reasonable price.

With the oppo going into the receiver by hdmi, did you set up the input your using on the receiver ? Outputs on the OPPO ? There is some leeway with adjustments in the receiver to tailor the sound a bit to your liking.

ROHfan

tonyb wrote: »

ROHfan wrote: »

I have the Oppo HDMI going in to the Pio. It sounds good although I think I'm going to try using the Oppo's coax out into the Pio. Would the receiver use the same DAC for Coax as it does for HDMI? If so, I shouldn't hear a difference.

Just found this, BTW:

http://www.amazon.com/Musical-Fidelity-MFVDAC2-V-DAC-MKII/dp/B001P6FO5E

I believe so, though you may hear a slight difference due to the cable itself. The VDAC is more so a computer solution, the M-1 dac is where you want to be in that brand for a reasonable price.

With the oppo going into the receiver by hdmi, did you set up the input your using on the receiver ? Outputs on the OPPO ? There is some leeway with adjustments in the receiver to tailor the sound a bit to your liking.

Yeah, tried all that stuff. Like I said, the HDMI from Oppo and using the "pure direct" mode on the Pio results in decent sound. I just want...more.

BTW, I've narrowed it down to the Peachtree, and this:

http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Audio-Azur-DacMagic-100/dp/B0078Q35PG/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1459695326&sr=1-1&keywords=cambridge+DAC

ROHfan

And then, there's this. I like the idea of a built-in headphone amp to go with my Grados:

http://www.amazon.com/Teac-UDH01-S-Digital-Converter-Interface/dp/B00647H30S/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1459696045&sr=1-1&keywords=TEAC+UD-H01

halo

ROHfan wrote: »

My system pulls double duty HT and 2ch.

Same here, i.e, me too.

tonyb wrote: »

OK, Gotcha man. You have the receiver and the Parasound together.

The Parasound P5 is made for your situation too with it's HT pass thru. In my mind, that's your ticket.

How do I utilize the HT pass through on the Jolida + McCormack combo?

The Jolida manual states that there is an HT bypass but doesn't go beyond that.

So, how do I connect my Denon AVR2113CI to the Jolida?

Sorry @ROHfan for posting all of this in your thread. For all intents and purposes, I figure that that the HT bypass/pass through is applicable to both of us.

ROHfan

No prob, Halo, I'm already 3/4 confused every day, anyway!

The Teac I posted above apparently has a newer and better DAC: Teac UD-301-BK. Choices, choices!

tonyb

ROHfan wrote: »

tonyb wrote: »

ROHfan wrote: »

I have the Oppo HDMI going in to the Pio. It sounds good although I think I'm going to try using the Oppo's coax out into the Pio. Would the receiver use the same DAC for Coax as it does for HDMI? If so, I shouldn't hear a difference.

Just found this, BTW:

http://www.amazon.com/Musical-Fidelity-MFVDAC2-V-DAC-MKII/dp/B001P6FO5E

I believe so, though you may hear a slight difference due to the cable itself. The VDAC is more so a computer solution, the M-1 dac is where you want to be in that brand for a reasonable price.

With the oppo going into the receiver by hdmi, did you set up the input your using on the receiver ? Outputs on the OPPO ? There is some leeway with adjustments in the receiver to tailor the sound a bit to your liking.

Yeah, tried all that stuff. Like I said, the HDMI from Oppo and using the "pure direct" mode on the Pio results in decent sound. I just want...more.

BTW, I've narrowed it down to the Peachtree, and this:

http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Audio-Azur-DacMagic-100/dp/B0078Q35PG/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1459695326&sr=1-1&keywords=cambridge+DAC

Your problem, as I see it anyway, is your looking at dacs that aren't going to be a huge step up from what you already have. For the money, the P5 is going to give you that jump in your 2 channel listening.

tonyb

halo wrote: »

ROHfan wrote: »

My system pulls double duty HT and 2ch.

Same here, i.e, me too.

tonyb wrote: »

OK, Gotcha man. You have the receiver and the Parasound together.

The Parasound P5 is made for your situation too with it's HT pass thru. In my mind, that's your ticket.

How do I utilize the HT pass through on the Jolida + McCormack combo?

The Jolida manual states that there is an HT bypass but doesn't go beyond that.

So, how do I connect my Denon AVR2113CI to the Jolida?

Sorry @ROHfan for posting all of this in your thread. For all intents and purposes, I figure that that the HT bypass/pass through is applicable to both of us.

Which Jolida do you have ? Normally it's marked on the back of the unit and you simply connect a pair of RCA IC's from the receivers front left and right pre out to the Jolida's front left and right input. The left and right outputs on the Jolida are then connected to your amp.

halo

ROHfan wrote: »

And then, there's this. I like the idea of a built-in headphone amp to go with my Grados:

http://www.amazon.com/Teac-UDH01-S-Digital-Converter-Interface/dp/B00647H30S/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1459696045&sr=1-1&keywords=TEAC+UD-H01

The 301 allows you to turn off the up sampling feature whereas the 01 does not. Just FYI

ROHfan

halo wrote: »

ROHfan wrote: »

And then, there's this. I like the idea of a built-in headphone amp to go with my Grados:

http://www.amazon.com/Teac-UDH01-S-Digital-Converter-Interface/dp/B00647H30S/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1459696045&sr=1-1&keywords=TEAC+UD-H01

The 301 allows you to turn off the up sampling feature whereas the 01 does not. Just FYI

You are correct. This may seal the deal.

halo

tonyb wrote: »

Which Jolida do you have ? Normally it's marked on the back of the unit and you simply connect a pair of RCA IC's from the receivers front left and right pre out to the Jolida's front left and right input. The left and right outputs on the Jolida are then connected to your amp.

OK. I have the Jolida Fusion preamp. I see the bypass. The Denon doesn't have a FR + FL pre out but it does have a pre out for ZONE 2. In using this configuration, the Jolida & the McCormack is amplifying the signal sent by the Denon? Or is the signal from the Denon going straight to the McCormack for amplification? Does the Jolida have to be on or off or does it matter?

If it's the latter, will there be a mismatch in SQ since the Denon is driving the center channel speaker?

halo

ROHfan wrote: »

I like the idea of a built-in headphone amp to go with my Grados:

You are correct. This may seal the deal.

I think that @tonyb has a really good recommendation in the Parasound P5. Seems like it will suit your needs nicely. Is there an input for Headphones on the P5?

tonyb

DSkip wrote: »

The lack of preouts prevents you from using the bypass. Sorry bud.

DSkip wrote: »

The lack of preouts prevents you from using the bypass. Sorry bud.

Yep, and using zone 2 would be a headache for switching cables every time you wanted to switch between 2 channel and HT.

ROH,
If you want more out of your musical experience, your going to have to move away from that receiver acting as the pre amp. Hence my suggestion of the P5 to kill a few birds with one stone. Save your coin, a 300 buck dac isn't going to give you an astonishing difference.

halo

I'll have to look and see if I can "assign" the ZONE 2 pre outs. I thought I saw that in the manual. If not, I may switch out the Denon for my Marantz NR1402.

tonyb

Not worth it pal. Usually when using zone 2 you can't use any digital sources either, only analog. This is why we say constantly the number one thing to look for in a receiver is 5.1 pre-outs, because we know down the line your going to be stuck.

The Jolida is for 2 channel, not HT, so no center channel info is going to be present. Your easiest solution is to swap out the receiver for something with preouts, that way you can use the McCormack for HT and for music too.