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Proper DAC Upgrade for my modest system.

Looking for some advice from people with lots more experience then me

My local dealer has recommended the RME ADI-2 DAC, or the New NAD 658. Buying a DAC is "hard". But was looking for some veterans thoughts. The NAD I could replace the Yamaha Streamer and get some money back.

Anyone have an opinion of the Wadia 122 DAC? I got one on clearance so decided to pull the trigger, its 100% better then the Parasound zDac Gen 1 I was running, but making sure for around the $1200 ( My budget ) price point I am making the right buy.

System is WXC Streamer --> Wadia 122 DAC -->AVR/Pre-Amp - B&K 125.7 Bi amped to KEF R11’s via Rocket 44’s.

I use Tidal for all content - I don’t do anything other then stream Tidal and some Apple Music if certain songs / albums are not on Tidal. Some day I might progress into "higher res" but the cost of files seems a low ROI vs Tidal at the moment.

Appreciate everyone’s insight on this topic.
128x128crock442

Showing 10 responses by crock442

crock442's avatar
crock442 OP
19 posts
 
Well I upgraded to the R11's, and now feel like the weak spot in the whole system is the DAC seeing its a 150~ dollar used Parasound dac. I don't have a dedicated listening room at the moment, maybe when I pull the trigger on a house in the next 12 months.

Not sure I would ever go over this price range of speakers, and I defiantly do not need more power. 
crock442's avatar
crock442 OP
19 posts
 
You made a good choice. It is a better DAC than the zDAC as you have already observed and it matches your system well. Your KEF R1
haha Solid advice, I pulled the trigger on the Wadia because I got it at a steal.. I think? I was just making sure in the say 800-1500 price range I wasn't missing some amazing purchase. It's only got about 30-40 hours on it right now and ( same with the speakers ) so it could sonically change for the better .... So I hear. haha

crock442's avatar
crock442 OP
19 posts
 
Appreciate the feedback, I guess in short I was asking for a recommendation based on current system. 

I have AQ rocket 44’s Bi amped 
KEF r11’s 
b&k amp - from everything I have read would have to spend north of 2k to even come close to an “upgrade”

and a 150 dollar parasound dac ... that i felt was the weakest link... but what I am hearing is that it’s okay for my system... even though it’s probably 8 years old? 
crock442's avatar
crock442 OP
19 posts
 

Addendum:I guess you need to keep the AVR Pre for BiAmping though?
 I use a Sony ES3100 for home theater purpose, simply use the aux passthrough to control volume through on source. New Sony ES series has a pretty clean passthrough from what I have read - I know its unbalanced which isn't optimal.

My goal when I get some more room is to get a Pre with balanced that can go to B&K but then I will pick up a better amp to potentially drive the towers... I am 80% Music 20% theater. 

That Quad seems interesting - never heard of them.  I can also say that the Wadia has a much better sound / sound stage then the parasound it replaced... I was just making sure I bought the right product. 
crock442's avatar
crock442 OP
19 posts
 
You don’t need to go north of 2500 Get a used chord Hugo 2, that dac will provide a definite sonic upgrade, or a used mytek Brooklyn+ both can be had used for under 2k

Not sure I want to, or would see the benefit of going that high in price point. Might stick with the Wadia for now and maybe upgrade to a true Pre Amp w/ Balanced connections, or a better amp like a PS A51+ 

Was trying to stay under the 1500 range given my current system

crock442's avatar
crock442 OP
19 posts
 
I have the RME ADI-2 DAC and it really is a fantastic unit. I tested it against some DAC's at twice and 3X the price and the RME beat them all. Price and feature set is unbeatable. Plus there are features on this DAC you won't find in most DAC's. Don't know of any DAC's in the 1K category that have a 5 band Parametric EQ and a dual EQ function
.
I have heard good things, the AKM chips seem to be more "Relaxed" then some of the ESS Chips, I might go demo the one my local dealer has against the Wadia in the system now. 

What did you test it against? And what is your amp/speaker setup if you don't mind me asking.
crock442's avatar
crock442 OP
19 posts
 
I use Audio Therapy in NH, also stop by BB Magnolia once in awhile as they are a design center.
crock442's avatar
crock442 OP
19 posts
 
I thought so. That's where I go. Ask John if you can borrow the RME he usually has a demo unit available. . I have my RME w/a Bluesound node into a Luxman CL38U-SE tube preamp. Aerial 5T speakers and a Bryston 2.5 SST2 amp. I've dealt w/John for over 20 years.
Sounds like a killer 2ch Setup! He thinks I should Demo the New NAD and the RME - I guess I need to let my ears do the listening - the Dirac Live on the NAD is interesting for sure. Trying to not go down the rabbit hole of updating.
crock442's avatar
crock442 OP
19 posts
 
Seems like a lot of people are suggesting I remove the Sony from the 2ch setup.

Schitt Saga - Seems like a pre amp that has 0 gain and I could use as a bypass for HT - But use to filter the Wadia into - then into my amp - It even has two RCA out's so I could still bi amp the speakers if needed. Is this the route the multiple people in the thread were suggesting? 
crock442's avatar
crock442 OP
19 posts
 
I ended up going with the Schiit Saga to remove the Sony from the 2ch setup, still allowed me to bi amp the front speakers, and use it as a HT pass.

I am still running the Wadia 122 DAC at the moment, I am toying with the idea of upgrading the wall wart to a linear PSU and leaving the system alone to just enjoy some listening and stop going down the blackhole of 2ch haha
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