2. digital
  3. 1415148238

DAC suggestions for home and office

Hi...I'm looking to upgrade my home and office outboard DAC system. Looking for any suggestions.

Office:
PC workstation
Rega Brio-r
Ascend Acoustics Sierra-2 bookshelves, on stands, in almost a nearfield setup.
Crimson speaker cables and interconnects.
USB DAC to replace a Cambridge Audio DACMagic Plus.

I'm leaning heavily towards the Rega DAC for anticipated synergy and its reputation for being a warm/analog sounding DAC. Whatever I get needs to non-fatiguing, as I listen to music in the office 8-10 hours a day. Looking to spend no more than $1,000 here.

Home:
For home I'm looking for a DAC that throws a big, clear soundstage and isn't overly warm, as I'm all tubed up with a Lector ZOE preamp and a Joule Electra VZN-80 power amp driving a pair of Dali Mentor 6's. I am currently trying out the ZERO autoformers with the Dalis and really like what they can do.
I currently have here a CA Stream Magic 6, which is basically the DACMagic Plus with better power supply and network features. Compared to my vinyl playback it is lifeless.

I was thinking of the Bryston BDA-1 (I don't need USB) or perhaps the Schiit Gungnir. Max spend on this would be $1,500.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Also, I'm not interested in multi-function DAC/headphone/preamps like the Benchmark as I won't use those features.
tortilladc
4 responses Add your response
akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
1,033 posts
 
Go REGA for two reasons:

(1) Big time synergy with what already comprises your current system, and
(2) Invariably, everything is built to its price point .... the REGA DAC is a Goliath killer that punches way above its weight class BUT... it also still matches well with the price strata of your existing system.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
mesch
1,679 posts
 
I am happy with my BDA-1 into a Jolida Fusion tubed pre. Can be had under $1000 used.
tortilladc OP
121 posts
 
Thank you both for your suggestions. I ended up with a Rega DAC for the office and put in an order for an Eastern Electric Minimax Supreme DAC for home.

The Rega DAC works nicely (USB -> ifi USB power -> V-link 192 spdif converter).

Have high hopes for the Minimax!
williewonka
1,826 posts
 
Tortilladc, I can vouch for Sciit gear - I have the Bifrost with the Uber
upgrade and it sounds extremely good.

The Gungnir is a step up from the Bifrost and other members have great
things to say about it.

I just installed the new USB Gen 2 upgrade, which elevated it to a whole
new performance level.

The Bifrost responded extremely well when I upgraded the interconnect ,
USB and power cables. I now consider it a giant killer.
- very dynamic
- excellent image depth and width
- very detailed with exceptional clarity and presence
- very deep extended and well controlled bass
- nicely detailed top end with exceptional sibilance reproduction

Perhaps one of the most analogue sounding DACs under $1800

The build quality is very good and Schiit are very quick processing your
order.

I also had the original DacMagic with a tricked out power supply and great
cables- but the Bifrost is in a very different league altogether.

The Gungnir should provide exceptional sound

Hope that helps
Log in to respond
More to discover
80x80
Schiit Audio Yggdrasil
80x80
DCS Vivaldi One APEX
80x80
Musical Fidelity M8 ENCORE