Lets hear your DAC recommendations
Geoff4rfc
Posts: 2,433
in Electronics
Alright, I'm looking for a DAC. Not interested in one that makes peanut butter sandwiches, just looking for a unit that has a decent chip in it.
So far, I've found the Shiit Modius and the S.M.S.L SU-9 PRO. These two should integrate well with my set up: Marantz 8802A and Emo ERC-3 CDP. And are in my price range. I'd like to not go over $500
I'd like to hear from y'all if anyone has any other recommendations they want to share, thanks in advance.
So far, I've found the Shiit Modius and the S.M.S.L SU-9 PRO. These two should integrate well with my set up: Marantz 8802A and Emo ERC-3 CDP. And are in my price range. I'd like to not go over $500
I'd like to hear from y'all if anyone has any other recommendations they want to share, thanks in advance.
Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2
Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)
EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman
Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)
EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman
Comments
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Hi,
your setup is pretty nice. You just want to play around with a DAC?
Of the two, the SMSL looks really cool.
Speakers: Polk Lsim, ATC SCM19 v2, NHT SuperzeroSpeaker Cables: DH Labs, Transparent, Wireworld, Canare, Monster: Beer budget, Bose ears -
I've found some abbas dacs used pop up at that price.. It's the way to go- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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If you are patient, you might be able to find used Denafrips Aries II in that price range. I grabbed mine without too much patience last winter for just barely over your upper price point.
Otherwise, I'd recommend something like a Topping D70S or one of the D90 with AKM chips. I personally don't like the SABRE sound, but many do.
For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
I've found some abbas dacs used pop up at that price.. It's the way to go
That looks to be a real patience tester...
For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
Hi,
your setup is pretty nice. You just want to play around with a DAC?
Of the two, the SMSL looks really cool.
What else would you be thinking?Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2
Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)
EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman -
If your plan is to connect the new DAC to the Marantz, I do not believe we will see any improvement in performance. The Marantz is a good AVR, and has a DAC built in I believe,but it is not a two channel channel preamp. Whatever signal is being fed to the new DAC will mostly sound exactly like the one already inside the AVR, especially at the lower price point you are looking to be at.
If I was in your place, I would begin by looking for preamp with HT bypass and build from there.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
Eh, I've seen several pop up but they sell extremely fast
Set an alert on hifi shark- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
I’ve got a Northstar Intenso that has dim/almost dead screen and cuts out from time to time (goes away with a power cycle). Yours if you want it to play around with. Sounds pretty damn good IMO2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave
2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius -
nooshinjohn wrote: »If your plan is to connect the new DAC to the Marantz, I do not believe we will see any improvement in performance. The Marantz is a good AVR, and has a DAC built in I believe,but it is not a two channel channel preamp. Whatever signal is being fed to the new DAC will mostly sound exactly like the one already inside the AVR, especially at the lower price point you are looking to be at.
If I was in your place, I would begin by looking for preamp with HT bypass and build from there.
I do agree with this, but some dacs can also function as digital preamps. I would look for one of those and feed the source directly to it...Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
Game Room 5.1.4: Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
Bedroom 2.1 Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer -
nooshinjohn wrote: »If your plan is to connect the new DAC to the Marantz, I do not believe we will see any improvement in performance. The Marantz is a good AVR, and has a DAC built in I believe,but it is not a two channel channel preamp. Whatever signal is being fed to the new DAC will mostly sound exactly like the one already inside the AVR, especially at the lower price point you are looking to be at.
If I was in your place, I would begin by looking for preamp with HT bypass and build from there.
I do agree with this, but some dacs can also function as digital preamps. I would look for one of those and feed the source directly to it...
I have yet to see a DAC/digital preamp also offer HT bypass, which will likely be needed in his case. I had a Simaudio 380d DSD Feeding into my Arcam AVR20, and there was an improvement, but it was only after the McIntosh C2300 was introduced that the full potential of my rig was unleashed. The Preamp made significant improvements whereas the DAC only modestly so.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
I think the above suggestions of Tube DAC or Denafrips are good ones.
You are talking flavors I think now.
What are you trying to improve?
Detail? Timbre? Smooth out the "digital sound"? Warm things up a bit?
People swear by the Chord MOJO but I have no experience with
https://www.ebay.com/itm/156329675439?_skw=cord+mojo+DAC&epid=9062154498&itmmeta=01J7S7AN6DRYJJTHTYCK5DGWHM&hash=item2465f98aaf:g:NUQAAOSwE~RmqRxI&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx+KZ9MfhVJKmUERNePkSh5MJH/s4ab0YfIlwS83VV4g8WISTwIpEz+lbf5W0cV86+6IB1QeeKqvw+E68HMDwX3f2IEmGaGmzs4hqMkD1QG5brpWOW+XjmW9GVozLsL51Si0DtiVHELDixcWIeDB13SccxWFG5GIQbb5E8WfATNOqucuudXOhu18ptlLpgCqrvLFdIoV8QMYDY3XaTOYAsmGVMJvcRl+tmjcY6qgFreduvnhxxUMhDGVr14oTSJ1l27H/hZvit5XE=|tkp:Bk9SR6TTqqe-ZA
As an aside, I had this in the cart a couple of days ago but didn't pull the trigger...
https://tmraudio.com/components/d-a-converters/berkeley-audio-design-alpha-dac-v1-d-a-converter/
I can hear the Mrs. now
Speakers: Polk Lsim, ATC SCM19 v2, NHT SuperzeroSpeaker Cables: DH Labs, Transparent, Wireworld, Canare, Monster: Beer budget, Bose ears -
nooshinjohn wrote: »If your plan is to connect the new DAC to the Marantz, I do not believe we will see any improvement in performance. The Marantz is a good AVR, and has a DAC built in I believe,but it is not a two channel channel preamp. Whatever signal is being fed to the new DAC will mostly sound exactly like the one already inside the AVR, especially at the lower price point you are looking to be at.
If I was in your place, I would begin by looking for preamp with HT bypass and build from there.
Yes, that was my plan, to use the balanced "out" from the DAC to the balanced "audio in" on the processor.Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2
Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)
EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman -
nooshinjohn wrote: »If your plan is to connect the new DAC to the Marantz, I do not believe we will see any improvement in performance. The Marantz is a good AVR, and has a DAC built in I believe,but it is not a two channel channel preamp. Whatever signal is being fed to the new DAC will mostly sound exactly like the one already inside the AVR, especially at the lower price point you are looking to be at.
If I was in your place, I would begin by looking for preamp with HT bypass and build from there.
I do agree with this, but some dacs can also function as digital preamps. I would look for one of those and feed the source directly to it...
Emo has the XDA-3 which is a DAC/pre-amp. In this case, go CD to DAC/pre then straight to the amp, by passing the processor all together?Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2
Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)
EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman -
What are you trying to improve?
Detail? Timbre? Smooth out the "digital sound"? Warm things up a bit?
I'm looking to get more detail out of my CD playerSource: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2
Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)
EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman -
You won’t find it on the path you seek to travel. The biggest bottleneck is using the AVR.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
stangman67 wrote: »I’ve got a Northstar Intenso that has dim/almost dead screen and cuts out from time to time (goes away with a power cycle). Yours if you want it to play around with. Sounds pretty damn good IMO
Most folks have no clue just how good North Star Design (NSD) products are… You should get on this offer as fast as you can. Intenzo is the gateway drug to Supremo.
I’ve got 2 Supremos and the only thing that surpassed that was Lampizaror … Just sayingAC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
Pre Cary SLP-05
Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
Mains Salk HT2-TL
Rythmik F12 -
I fear NSJohn is correct. Still, I like a challenge.
Speakers: Polk Lsim, ATC SCM19 v2, NHT SuperzeroSpeaker Cables: DH Labs, Transparent, Wireworld, Canare, Monster: Beer budget, Bose ears -
Take @stangman67 ’s offer! I sold it to him and it sounds nice. What bothered me was the display couldn’t be dimmed. Apparently that’s not a problem now.
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nooshinjohn wrote: »
I appreciate you chiming in. May I borrow your Mcintosh??
J/K
I have pure direct mode on the Marantz, which if I'm not mistaken, by-passes the AVP.Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2
Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)
EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman -
nooshinjohn wrote: »
I appreciate you chiming in. May I borrow your Mcintosh?? J/K
I have pure direct mode on the Marantz, which if I'm not mistaken, by-passes the AVP.
I have the same, moron, my Arcam but it still is no substitute for a separate preamp. Please don’t get me wrong, what you are trying to do can sound good, but you are missing out on far more than you realize until you try itThe Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
nooshinjohn wrote: »nooshinjohn wrote: »
I appreciate you chiming in. May I borrow your Mcintosh?? J/K
I have pure direct mode on the Marantz, which if I'm not mistaken, by-passes the AVP.
I have the same, moron, my Arcam but it still is no substitute for a separate preamp. Please don’t get me wrong, what you are trying to do can sound good, but you are missing out on far more than you realize until you try it
I can dig it......."moron????" c'mon honey, it's not polite to call people namesSource: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2
Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)
EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman -
nooshinjohn wrote: »nooshinjohn wrote: »
I appreciate you chiming in. May I borrow your Mcintosh?? J/K
I have pure direct mode on the Marantz, which if I'm not mistaken, by-passes the AVP.
I have the same, moron, my Arcam but it still is no substitute for a separate preamp. Please don’t get me wrong, what you are trying to do can sound good, but you are missing out on far more than you realize until you try it
Wow strong words. To be fair when you got that Arcam you raved how it sounded better than all the separates equipment it replaced….. we all knew you were wrong but looks like we have finally come full circle.
There are many others that have earned the title Moron (to include myself and you), but I can’t see how this Geoff earned that in this thread.
2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave
2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius -
nooshinjohn wrote: »nooshinjohn wrote: »
I appreciate you chiming in. May I borrow your Mcintosh?? J/K
I have pure direct mode on the Marantz, which if I'm not mistaken, by-passes the AVP.
I have the same, moron, my Arcam but it still is no substitute for a separate preamp. Please don’t get me wrong, what you are trying to do can sound good, but you are missing out on far more than you realize until you try it
I can dig it......."moron????" c'mon honey, it's not polite to call people names
Omg!!!! So sorry!!! I was using voice recognition while posting from a birthday party at a sports bar and that word must have gotten picked up by my phone. I did not say that and it should have NEVER been posted!!!! Very, very sorry!😳😳😳The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
After looking further into the original question and realizing it is proposed to mate it with an AVR, I would also suggest that won't get you much improvement.
A high level DAC will never reveal all its capabilities until it is mated to a decently high end 2-channel analog preamp. Even in pure direct mode, there is too much happening to the signal inside that complex, multi-board AVR.
I'd hold off on a DAC.
For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
nooshinjohn wrote: »nooshinjohn wrote: »nooshinjohn wrote: »
I appreciate you chiming in. May I borrow your Mcintosh?? J/K
I have pure direct mode on the Marantz, which if I'm not mistaken, by-passes the AVP.
I have the same, moron, my Arcam but it still is no substitute for a separate preamp. Please don’t get me wrong, what you are trying to do can sound good, but you are missing out on far more than you realize until you try it
I can dig it......."moron????" c'mon honey, it's not polite to call people names
Omg!!!! So sorry!!! I was using voice recognition while posting from a birthday party at a sports bar and that word must have gotten picked up by my phone. I did not say that and it should have NEVER been posted!!!! Very, very sorry!😳😳😳
Lol, no worries. You can make it up to me by buying me a beer at the next party. Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2
Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)
EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman -
On the very rare time that I'll spin a cd I find that the dac in my Cambridge Audio 851n to be an excellent match up with my Emo erc3. Much much better than my dated Mcintosh d100 dac which it replaced.
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Going in a different direction, I've been eyeballing this little streamer for studio 2.
https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/usa/en/products/hi-fi/mx/mxn10
Ive heard good things about it. And it fits the budget.
Speakers: Polk Lsim, ATC SCM19 v2, NHT SuperzeroSpeaker Cables: DH Labs, Transparent, Wireworld, Canare, Monster: Beer budget, Bose ears -
Believe it or else, this would probably dig out more detail for you.
https://tmraudio.com/components/d-a-converters/emotiva-xda-2-dac-d-a-converter/
Pull quote from Darko;
"Some buyers will probably pair it with Emotiva’s own power amplifiers (which I’ve not heard). System matching is more critical with this DAC. Personally, I’d add a more buttery tube amplifier to an XDA-2 fronted system; tonal thickness and a little treble taming (more so than other DACs deployed in this review) would go a long way to ensuring you could have your detail cake AND eat it." - Darko Audio
I had this DAC and completely agree.Speakers: Polk Lsim, ATC SCM19 v2, NHT SuperzeroSpeaker Cables: DH Labs, Transparent, Wireworld, Canare, Monster: Beer budget, Bose ears -
Believe it or else, this would probably dig out more detail for you.
https://tmraudio.com/components/d-a-converters/emotiva-xda-2-dac-d-a-converter/
Pull quote from Darko;
"Some buyers will probably pair it with Emotiva’s own power amplifiers (which I’ve not heard). System matching is more critical with this DAC. Personally, I’d add a more buttery tube amplifier to an XDA-2 fronted system; tonal thickness and a little treble taming (more so than other DACs deployed in this review) would go a long way to ensuring you could have your detail cake AND eat it." - Darko Audio
I had this DAC and completely agree.
It would be nice if Emo still carried the xda 2, they now have the xda 3 which I've been pondering but man...trying to justify the cost to benefit ratio....aside from my AVP, my components are made up of Emo's, erc3 cd player, xpa-dr3 amp are what make up the 2ch section of my set up.Source: BRP Panasonic UB9000, CDP Emotiva ERC3 - Display: LG OLED EVO 83 C3 - Pre/Pro: Marantz 8802A - Amplification: Emotiva XPA-DR3, XPA-2 x 2, XPA-6, Speakers, Mains/2ch-Focal Kanta No2's, C-LSiM706, S-702F/X, RS-RTiA9's, WS-RTiA9's, FH-RTiA3's, Subs - Epik Empire x 2
Cables: AudioQuest McKenzie XLR's/CDP/Amp, Carbon 48/BRP, Forest 48/Display, 2 channel speaker cable: Furutech FS Alpha 36 12AWG PCOCC Single Crystal (Douglas Connection)
EXPERIENCE: next to nothing, but I sure enjoy audio and video MY OPINION OF THIS HOBBY: I may not be a smart man, but I know what quicksand is.
When I was young, I was Superman but now that old age has gotten the best of me I'm only Batman -
My answer would also be none of the above under $500. Have you tried to play a CD from your Blu Ray player over both HDMI and over the balanced analog outputs into the 8802 using the direct modes in both the player and and 8802? If you can't notice a difference in Pure Direct mode compared to the Emotiva CD player that's a good indicator. If you can then it may be worth investing in a DAC above the price threshold you're looking at. The internal DAC in the 8802 is also high performance, including for high resolution PCM and DSD, and may be at least as good as that in external devices under $1K although the rest of the 8802 does have its own analog sound character that can't be eliminated.
My take is an inexpensive DAC is likely to be powered by a switching power supply that'll end up inserting line noise and sibilance. There are numerous ones under $100 to test that out.
The Emotiva DAC is probably where you should be looking for an upgrade. You could try it and return it if it doesn't work out. Having the headphone section and eARC features is a positive.
