Do you have an external DAC?

Options
steveinaz
steveinaz Posts: 19,522
edited July 2005 in Electronics
Do you have an external DAC or do you use your sources internal DAC?

Are you planning to buy one in the future? If so, what are you looking at?
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
Post edited by steveinaz on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited July 2005
    Options
    Planning on getting one, don't know which but it'll have to have some glass cylindrical thingees in it.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited July 2005
    Options
    Had to, the transport didn't have one. Has those glass cylinder thingys in there too.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited July 2005
    Options
    Originally posted by madmax
    Had to, the transport didn't have one. Has those glass cylinder thingys in there too.
    madmax

    Which one did you get and how much $$$ if you don't mind telling?
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited July 2005
    Options
    I will get one at some point, but that time is a ways away. I am going to have to get board with first listening to all my music again, then fiddling with my setup, then tired of trying new tubes in the pre, and probably even amps before I throw a DAC in the mix.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,987
    edited July 2005
    Options
    I've had a couple Audio Alchemy Dac In The Box, good entry level DAC pretty much guaranteed to make any gruntball CDP sound better.

    Right now, I'm using an Assembladge DAC-1 (Sonic Frontiers). It was sold in kit form for $450 in the early to mid 90's.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited July 2005
    Options
    Bel Canto DAC 1.1 for me. love it so far but now that summer has rolled around I don't get to spend much time with the rig. My rig sounds better than it ever has with addition of the DAC and McCormack SST-1 Transport.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited July 2005
    Options
    Originally posted by ND13
    Which one did you get and how much $$$ if you don't mind telling?

    Mine is an AudioNote Dac kit 1.1. It was built by the company. Very nice simple method of conversion. I think it was $700 + $250 to have built. I bought it used. Came with a super interconnect and aftermarket power cord. I think I paid about $800 all together.

    http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0200/anmeetsmsb.htm

    So far the best thing I've done on the digital end was to add this dac and the Theta data basic II transport.

    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited July 2005
    Options
    Originally posted by madmax
    So far the best thing I've done on the digital end was to add this dac and the Theta data basic II transport.
    I ALMOST went with the Theta transport, but I love McCormack gear so I went with that. I probably couldn't have gone wrong with either...
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • audiobliss
    audiobliss Posts: 12,518
    edited July 2005
    Options
    Nope, never. I'm just not nearly that picky.

    I might be one day in the future; but that'll be a long ways down the road.
    George Grand wrote: »
    Jstas wrote: »
    Simple question. If you had a cool million bucks, what would you do with it?
    Wonder WTF happened to the rest of my money.
    In Use
    PS3, Yamaha CDR-HD1300, Plex, Amazon Fire TV Gen 2
    Pioneer Elite VSX-52, Parasound HCA-1000A
    Klipsch RF-82ii, RC-62ii, RS-42ii, RW-10d
    Epson 8700UB
    In Storage
    [Home Audio]
    Rotel RCD-02, Yamaha KX-W900U, Sony ST-S500ES, Denon DP-7F
    Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII, Parasound P/HP-850, ASL Wave 20 monoblocks
    Klipsch RF-35, RB-51ii
    [Car Audio]
    Pioneer Premier DEH-P860MP, Memphis 16-MCA3004, Boston Acoustic RC520
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,079
    edited July 2005
    Options
    I have 2, an Adcom, which for the money, especially used, just cannot be beat. The other is a very inexpensive AMC, which does better than the stock DAC’s on most sub $400 CDP or DVDP. This is an area that simply isn’t given enough credit for making digital sound fantastic. The depth of soundstage, the tightness and extension of bass and the open airiness of the sound just has no equal.

    I know from reading this forum and some others that many think an outboard DAC is a waste of time and money. Can the improvements be that great? A big resounding YES!!! This is the most overlooked link in the audio chain, IMO. It literally brought new-life to my system. A well designed DAC tube or SS will really perform beyond anyone’s expectations. Also, don’t fall for those built into an AVR because those are really no better from a design and sound standpoint than the ones housed in your CDP or DVDP.

    Take the next step and you won’t be disappointed. Even if you have a mediocre transport adding a DAC will make a huge difference.

    FWIW

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited July 2005
    Options
    i'm a big believer in external DAC's. I used to think otherwise though.. before some of the cool people in here recommended i try a DAC.

    I just wasn't happy with the lifeless sound i was getting from my new Marantz 4300 CDP.

    SO on the advice of the peeps in here I took the leap and got a old used but in good condition California Audio Labs Alpha tube DAC. It really kicked up the sound a couple notches. I wasn't night and day difference.. but it improved the sound quality overall enough for me to keep it.

    It's still in use today. Yes the CAL dac is outdated by todays better chips and all. but for a nicely built tube DAC it still sounds better than the cheap DAC's that are built into most CDP's and receivers.

    I'll replace it a ways down the road.. but for now it's not going anywhere. I have never changed out the Mullard tubes in it. Once those die or I get tired of them.. then i'll replace em.

    For anyone teetering on the fence.. take the leap.... i'm almost certain you'll notice and enjoy the improvement in sound quality.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,522
    edited July 2005
    Options
    I think anyone that is running Compact Disc as their primary source is missing 75% of its performance without a good external DAC. It literally transformed my system. If you think about, you mate a $300 reputable CDP with a $1000 DAC and chances are you've got a digital front-end that can run with just about anything, money-no-object; at $1300 bucks.

    Those who haven't tried a ext DAC yet, put it on your short list---even if you don't like it, and you will, sell it---you'll recover 75% of what you put into it if you buy a decent example.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited July 2005
    Options
    Originally posted by tryrrthg
    I ALMOST went with the Theta transport, but I love McCormack gear so I went with that. I probably couldn't have gone wrong with either...

    Luckily you chose another route. For sound it is awesome (and I am still very happy with it) but they have some problems with the drives. Also, unless you bought it new they have a very jacked up service cost. They even tell you that on the website! I leave the top off of mine in the winter because the disc often needs a little push start. I think the dryness has something to do with it because it works fine all summer. I've noticed a lot of people have similar problems. The drawer motor gear broke as well. I still wont give up on it because of the sound though. I've actually grown accustomed to manually opening and closing the drawer and "starting" the disc manually. It feels more like ANALOG!

    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tryrrthg
    tryrrthg Posts: 1,896
    edited July 2005
    Options
    Originally posted by madmax
    Luckily you chose another route. For sound it is awesome (and I am still very happy with it) but they have some problems with the drives. Also, unless you bought it new they have a very jacked up service cost. They even tell you that on the website! I leave the top off of mine in the winter because the disc often needs a little push start. I think the dryness has something to do with it because it works fine all summer. I've noticed a lot of people have similar problems. The drawer motor gear broke as well. I still wont give up on it because of the sound though. I've actually grown accustomed to manually opening and closing the drawer and "starting" the disc manually. It feels more like ANALOG!

    madmax
    Yeah, I read about some problems with the Theta. That also helped steer me towards the McCormack. With the McCormack I don't have to worry about the tray breaking because it's a top loading design. It has a magnetic disc stablizing platter (that you put on top of the CD) which is pretty cool and helps cut down on jitter. Steve McCormack still runs a shop that does upgrades on most all of his equipment so I figured he'd be able to help me out if something ever went wrong. I don't think they make the laser assembly for my transport anymore, but I'm sure he could think of something.
    Sony KDL-40V2500 HDTV, Rotel RSX-1067 Receiver, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray, Slim Devices Squeezebox, Polk RTi6, CSi3 & R15, DIY sub with Atlas 15
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jrausch
    jrausch Posts: 510
    edited July 2005
    Options
    My next Lotto DAC.

    http://www.dodsonaudio.com/UltimateAudio_DA218_Review.htm
    "The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tonyv1
    tonyv1 Posts: 365
    edited July 2005
    Options
    I have an MSB Link DAC III with the 24/132 upsampling card connected to a Rotel RCD-951. The Rotel has HDCD and don't even use it or miss it. I'm using a Sonic Euphoria coaxial cable, yes cables do make a difference!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dragon1952
    dragon1952 Posts: 4,894
    edited July 2005
    Options
    I've got an old Audio Alchemy DACMAN but just keeping it around for when I set my HT back up. I'll hook it up to the satellite receiver mainly for the music channels.
    2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Inakustik Reference USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jmierzur
    jmierzur Posts: 489
    edited July 2005
    Options
    I think I would choose an EMM Labs DCC2 as a lotto choice. In reality, the next component hopefully will be an Anthem Statement D-1.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited July 2005
    Options
    Audio Research DAC and its tough to listen to anything else.
    ***WAREMTAE***
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited July 2005
    Options
    i am sitting on the fence right now. my redbook player has a very good internal dac but does not upsample and i have been researching options. the musical fidelity small x-series has caught my attention. the electrocompianet upsampling dac seems promising. i think i will wait and just keep my options open for now.
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LuSh
    LuSh Posts: 887
    edited July 2005
    Options
    I've told you many times,
    jmierzur you have a real opportunity to snag a reference quality dac at a resonable price living where you live. My Uncle came to check out the system. To my amazement he preferred the sound of my system to many of his closes friends who have $20k rigs. He very much regrets selling me the modded Museatex, and drools when I told him what John Wright sold me his transport for. He has since tried to replace the Bitstream DAC with a Sony 9000ES SACD, Copland CD and heard an iDAT44 (same as the bidat) and still is convinced the Bitstream destroy's all of them.

    Please Don't make the mistake of buying the Anthem, before at least contacting John and hearing one of his dacs.

    btw, if you do a few searches, you'll read how alot of EMM Labs users have since used Bidats and modded Bitstreams and have thought the older dac's sounded better on redbook. No joke, do a search.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited July 2005
    Options
    You're right about the sound quality of external DAC's. At one point I had an Audio Alchemy DAC with two jitter reducers and the sound was fabulous. I had to sell them because I needed cash at the time. I miss them a lot and hope to own some again in the future. They weren't just boxes with pretty lights. They sounded so sweet.

    Maurice
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter