Suggestions for DAC Upgrade.

audioluvr

So I'm kicking around the idea of moving on from my CA 851N and just going with a dedicated DAC since I don't really use it for streaming other than the occasional radio listening. It has to have USB inputs, a remote with volume control and be as good or better than what I have now for sound quality. Budget is <$1,000 preferably.

Currently looking at used Benchmark DAC2's. Not wanting something too old.

Any suggestions?

VR3

https://ankaudiokits.com/product/dac-1-1-x/

jbreezy5

I vote keep what you have. It meets all of the requirements in your OP, but has a little extra.

Better to have too much than not enough (i.e. features).

Nice piece of kit too!

…Unless you’re just itching for something different.

skrol

I picked up a Benchmark DAC1 at a thrift store for a price that I feel guilty about. It sounds so nice. I am sure that there are more capable DACs feature wise now but I don't think I can afford any that can best the sound of the Benchmark.

Nightfall

I also vote for find a Benchmark DAC at a thrift store for a price you'll feel guilty about.

guyincognito

I have a Benchmark DAC 2 HGC and it really is a stellar piece of kit. Got mine used a few years ago for $900.

audioluvr

Also looking at this one.
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649863491-cosecant-n2-latest-one-from-wavelength/

rooftop59

I was a big fan of this one in my system: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisahcj6-nad-m51-dac-d-a-converter-m-51-silver-remote-41639-da-converters

WLDock

I had some things in the works to hopefully move up the audio chain a bit but life happens. Still, I plan to get there. Been looking at $500-$1000 DAC's myself but how the hell do you listen to all of these DAC's? The differences in one's own system is the only way to know which will work and if the higher cost units are worth it.

Anyway, Interesting info here on some of the hot DAC's available.


ARES II vs D90 vs Bifrost 2 vs ADI-2 vs Gungnir vs Qutest
https://youtu.be/sCP63G8MYOI





https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/dac-journey-with-happy-results.1076879/

DAC journey with "happy results"*

Hope that got your attention....LOL


Anyway so rewind several years back to when I decide I want to explore affordable external DACS to see if I can beat my OPPO 105's performance.

Here's my journey in a nutshell......


1. Benchmark DAC2HGC

Bought used for around $2K

Beat my OPPO convincingly and life was good.

Then bought an OPPO 205 for 4K viewing and, after a playoff, I decided the Benchmark was just a little bit short of the mark re SQ "bang for buck" so off it went.


2. Gieseler Klein DACIII (with Kraftwerk PSU)

Lived happily with my OPPO 205 for a while and read a lot about Gieseler Audio on SNA

A used Klein DAC III popped up there for just under $1K so I gave it a go.

Nice smooth sound that beat my OPPO.

Did the job well until..........


3. Denafrips ARES II

OK so I'm sure everyone here has heard about this little R2R unit that gets a lot of praise.

As I live only about 10 mins away from DACMAN (Aust Dealer) I thought "why not"?

Played with it for a few weeks but regardless of OS/NOS and Filter settings I just couldn't get it to sound pleasing to me.

Returned it with no fuss (thanks Stav)


4. Topping D90 MQA

ASR were all over this so couldn't resist trying such a well measuring DAC sporting an even higher spec AKM chip (AK4499) than the Gieseler.

First thing that hit me was detail........serious detail with a super low noise floor.

Presentation maybe a bit thin but still very impressive.

Preferred it to the Gieseler (which I also still have)


5. Gustard X16 MQA

Also measured very well on ASR but offered a couple of extra features that interested me

As it was pretty cheap I took a punt thinking I could just move one of my others on to offset the cost anyway.

After just a few weeks It was sounding decent but of course Gustard decided to screw me by then releasing an updated X26PRO!!!!

After reading a review on it and checking out specs and pics I once again was seduced........

The X16 was moved on via a wanted ad on SNA and the new owner is a happy man.


6. Gustard X26PRO MQA

OK so the review on this thing is a great read...........The One to Beat: Gustard X26 PRO DAC Review

Here's where I bought it (was delivered by DHL in a week over Easter with no GST or import fees)

GUSTARD X26 PRO MQA Full Decoding ES9038Pro*2 Chip DSD512 Bluetooth 5.0 XMOS XU216 High Performance Audio Decoder

So it rocked up on Wednesday this week.

My usual plan of attack is to let a DAC run in for a few days, then some light listening followed by playoffs and critical listening with a couple of friends.

Have approached all previous DAC's this way as a tried and true method of confirming exactly what's going on.

Anyway...........after literally the first note I thought WTF is going on here???!!!

The soundstage was suddenly a LOT bigger but detail was all still there and body was back.

Everything sounded so clearly better to me that I just removed the Topping D90 from the system and stored it next to my Klein III.

This DAC resides at higher price point ($2K) than all the other Chinese ones I had and this was instantly reflected in SQ and build ( 7KG's!!!)

I have to tell you this is the best my system (ATC SCM70 ASL's with ATC CA2MK2 pre) has ever sounded and once again (for now....LOL)..........


LIFE IS GOOD


If you are in the market and have $2K to spend then I heartily recommend reading the outstanding comprehensive review on this unit.

All the above is just my 2c about what worked and didn't work for me in my system.

Of course YMMV and TBH IMHO and IME all the above DACs perform well and offer great value for money.


Cheers,
John

Gustard X26PRO MQA - $1499
https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Full-Balanced-ES9038PRO-Synthesizer-Silver/dp/B08X4LC4G4?th=1
https://shenzhenaudio.com/products/gustard-x26-pro-full-decoding-es9038pro-2-chip-dsd512-bluetooth-5-0-xoms-xu216-high-performance-audio-decoder
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/gustard-x26pro-review-balanced-high-end-dac.24699/

WLDock

VR3 wrote: »

https://ankaudiokits.com/product/dac-1-1-x/

That looks like a nice unit!

rooftop59

@WLDock you find good deals on used units and try them in your system. If you buy carefully you will at most lose shipping…

maxward

There was a relatively recent test of an Audionote kit in The Absolute Sound. Not sure of the issue (will look it up later). Quite favorable review, but out of the OP’s range.

VR3

I love my 5.1, I would consider it one of the best on the market. The 4.1 is equally impressive

audioluvr

VR3 wrote: »

https://ankaudiokits.com/product/dac-1-1-x/

This would be an awesome upgrade if it weren't for the 10-20 hours of assembly required, no remote, no power switch on the faceplate and only one input.

rooftop59 wrote: »

I was a big fan of this one in my system: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisahcj6-nad-m51-dac-d-a-converter-m-51-silver-remote-41639-da-converters

This doesn't seem like a lateral or upgrade move to me.

VR3

Dare I say, small obstacles

rooftop59

audioluvr wrote: »

VR3 wrote: »

https://ankaudiokits.com/product/dac-1-1-x/

This would be an awesome upgrade if it weren't for the 10-20 hours of assembly required, no remote, no power switch on the faceplate and only one input.

rooftop59 wrote: »

I was a big fan of this one in my system: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisahcj6-nad-m51-dac-d-a-converter-m-51-silver-remote-41639-da-converters

This doesn't seem like a lateral or upgrade move to me.

I owned your Cambridge. It’s definitely an upgrade. More refined sound, linear, much better control of the bass. An excellent DAC…

VR3

I'm confused, why not just keep the Cambridge and add a bad **** dac like the ank?

Seems like you are simply spinning your wheels

audioluvr

Pulled the trigger on the Gustard X26 pro. They're on sale right now!

Clipdat

I hope it tickles your fancy.

audioluvr

I will let you know.

pitdogg2

audioluvr wrote: »

Pulled the trigger on the Gustard X26 pro. They're on sale right now!

Expecting a full report. 😉
Seriously interested in your experience

audioluvr

Will do.

WLDock

audioluvr wrote: »

Pulled the trigger on the Gustard X26 pro. They're on sale right now!

I'm very interested in your feedback on this unit!

rooftop59 wrote: »

@WLDock you find good deals on used units and try them in your system. If you buy carefully you will at most lose shipping…

That's the only way I can afford just about anything, LOL! Seriously, most of my gear and several furniture, etc. pieces in my home were purchased used. Given that many go through DAC's with the seasons, finding good used deals is the plan.

audioluvr

Some tech moves at a snails pace but some is outdated in a few years. Cell phones, computers, TV's and DAC's. Should not be bought used unless that's all your budget allows (IMHO). That's where I start my review. More to come.

audioluvr

So just a heads up. The unit arrived Wednesday which was 7 days after ordering it. An impressive feat in today's chaos for an item from China.

The item was boxed well and appeared undamaged. Included a remote, power and 1.5 m USB cable, an antenna for something and a credit card looking warranty card. No manual or any documentation of any kind which I thought was odd.



Build fit and finish appeared very good and
I'd prepared a space in my rack by removing the Cambridge Audio 851N so after unboxing I quickly installed it in my system. Since I've been working long hours at work I didn't have much time to demo but I hooked it up to my laptop with a USB cable and pressed play on a track via Tidal. It played for about 10 seconds then went silent. Okay WTF just happened...

Then I noticed this:



Well time for bed. Maybe tomorrow I can figure out what is going on.

Next morning I emailed Shenzhen, the dealership that I purchased it through regarding my concerns and went on their website to do some sleuthing. After looking around for a while I found a link to Windows driver downloads. AHA! Maybe that is why it won't work! Cambridge Audio spoiled me by having automatic updates and no driver downloads etc.

After work I downloaded the driver for the X26 Pro and printed out the owners manual (I still like having hard copies). Excited to see what my new purchase was going to sound like I fired everything up and pressed play again on a Tidal track. YES ! It's working! About 2 minutes into the song and silence. Again! WTF! Send a couple more nasty emails to Shenzhen and one to Gustard before I had to go to bed.

Today I got into troubleshooting mode and thought maybe it was my laptop so I borrowed my girlfriends laptop (which is new) and IT PLAYS MUSIC! Then I downloaded Tidal on her laptop to see if it would work fine. Nope. YouTube music works fine but it apparently is not compatible with what Tidal has to offer.

This is a major issue because if it doesn't work for Tidal or older computer sound cards, what else is it not compatible with? Also, I have still not received any reply from Shenzhen or Gustard which seriously bothers me. Sure they offer a 30 day guarantee but if you don't get a return authorization from them, ever, with no address somewhere in China for return or exchange what do you do? Chalk it up to a learning experience? Where's that banging your head on a brick wall emoji?

Yes, I probably need to get a new computer but Tidal is my main streaming service.

Now, as for the sound, since I had to use YouTube which I'm not sure how that compares to Tidal Masters, sounded awesome! Details were off the charts and imaging was the best I've ever heard out of my system from what little time I got to spend on it.

More to come...

rooftop59

Does it have tidal connect built in? Is it hard wired to the internet?

pearsall001

Sorry to hear about the issue your having. Hopefully the playback quirk gets resolved quickly. The concern I would have is their lack of a response to you about the issue. Fingers crossed they respond quickly.

SIHAB

Sorry to hear about this.

I used to get paid to fix these kind of problems.
I hate these kind of problems.

SCompRacer

At ASR, Sue Domin reports same issue July 8 with no responses. R u the boy named Sue? Lol

I was surprised to see they implemented dual mono config with three custom output filters. The ESS Sabre 9038 Pro has eight filters built in. They are all available in my DIY Twisted Pear 9038 Pro DAC. All sound different. Sadly, I could never make Arduino control work so I have to use dipswitches to change them.

Word is they do a good job with their unconventional approach. Hoping you are able to get this resolved.

audioluvr

Finally got a response from Gustard sometime late last night. Gave me some suggestions to try including changing USB ports on my computer (I have 4) and using the supplied USB cable. Now I never would have thought that my new audiophile USB cable would have been the culprit but sure as ship it was! It must have been causing a clocking issue or something. SO... I don't need a new computer. Yet. Spending some time with it this morning then I'm going to swap in the CA 851N for comparison.

audioluvr

SCompRacer wrote: »

At ASR, Sue Domin reports same issue July 8 with no responses. R u the boy named Sue? Lol

Yep. Just thought since that site had like a thousand comments on it that someone could help. Of course the only comment I got was someone talking about firmware updates. I have no idea how to not only find what version I have but how to actually do an update. The manual tells me nothing.