2. digital
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New to DAC, need advice.

I recently purchased a Parasound ZDAC here and it worked well for a short time but then started acting up with short, intermittent bursts of static while streaming Tidal. Then for a day wouldn't play certain parts of the music such as missing a guitar or piano notes. After contacting Parasound they tell me it's a circuit issue. It's out of warranty and they are offering to have me ship it there for repair. It's been error-free for a few days now and in the mean time it's been recommended to me by Jim Williams of Adcom modification fame that I should consider the Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital DAC. It's roughly twice the price I paid for the ZDAC but if I send it in for repair, with shipping, I'll be right around the price of the Pro-ject DAC new, and it can decode MQA files where the ZDAC can't. So I defer to the community here. What's my best option on a limited budget?
128x128ratboysr

Showing 13 responses by ratboysr

ratboysr's avatar
ratboysr OP
20 posts
 
Thanks for the input. I was leaning that way as well for the MQA but wanted to see if anyone felt very strongly about repairing the ZDac or had a third option/suggestion.
ratboysr's avatar
ratboysr OP
20 posts
 
Erik thanks for the reply. I really like the ZDAC as well but I'm hesitant to listen to anything at volume because when the static kicks in it's REALLY loud and I'm afraid of damaging my new speakers. Everyone seems to agree Mytek (well out of my budget sadly) is amazing but I've heard mixed reviews on Schiit.
ratboysr's avatar
ratboysr OP
20 posts
 
@kalali and @ amg56 I’m using my Windows 10 PC as the source with USB. I’ll check out the Bluesound, thank you both.
ratboysr's avatar
ratboysr OP
20 posts
 
@gdnrbob unfortunately the Gugnir and Yggy are out of my price range for now. But thank you for the suggestion.
ratboysr's avatar
ratboysr OP
20 posts
 
@jond i'm fairly new to Tidal and I don't see where you can determine the resolution of the song you are streaming. I have the HiFi membership and play Master recordings when available. But I'm fairly certain the files it acted up on were not Master versions.
ratboysr's avatar
ratboysr OP
20 posts
 
@2psyop I'm definitely playing HiFi and MQA files and did not consider that the ZDac could not handle those correctly. Well I did discover in my troubleshooting that MQA files are out but didn't know about HiFi. That may be my decision right there to move away from the ZDac.
ratboysr's avatar
ratboysr OP
20 posts
 
@2psyop I'm streaming Tidal HiFi from my Windows 10 PC to the ZDac via USB then into a Micromega IA-100 integrated. So I'm ok with USB to the Pro-ject. I like the dual mono as well and it's certainly in my price range. I'm curious about your comment about digital out from the Pro-ject into another DAC. What is the benefit of using two DACS in series?
ratboysr's avatar
ratboysr OP
20 posts
 
@2psyop Thank you very much. I appreciate you educating me without being condescending to my lack of knowledge. You wouldn't have an Ayre lying around that you'd sell to me for the price of the Pro-ject would you? Figured I'd ask...
ratboysr's avatar
ratboysr OP
20 posts
 
@2psyop Well I got the Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital. I appreciate everyone's input. I can say without hesitation this DAC is FAR superior to the Parasound Zdac whether playing MQA files or anything else. I could not be happier with my choice. To my ears it is simply amazing.
ratboysr's avatar
ratboysr OP
20 posts
 
@crock442 I'm using the Windows app for streaming.
ratboysr's avatar
ratboysr OP
20 posts
 
@mahler123 thanks for the response. I replaced the Zdac with the Pro-ject Pre Box S2 Digital ($400) and it's been great.
ratboysr's avatar
ratboysr OP
20 posts
 
@stray_cat, thanks for the response. Several people above recommended the Node2 as well. I went with the Pro-ject at the suggestion of a trusted source. Now I'm wondering if I should give the Node2 a shot. I'm very curious about the Node2 through the Pro-ject.
ratboysr's avatar
ratboysr OP
20 posts
 
@stray_cat, now you've really piqued my interest in the Node2. I've been extremely happy with the Pre Box over the ZDac, especially MQA files (there's a significant upgrade in details in these files), but you never know what you're not hearing until you hear it. Please let me know what you find in your AB testing.
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