The Modwright Elyse DAC is good value - http://www.modwright.com/sources/elyse-dac.php
The big DAC decision
One of the challenges of building an audio system is trying to make sure that all of the individual components of that system have equivalent and compatible technical specifications. For example, it doesn’t make sense to purchase speakers that are capable of producing sound in the 5Hz to 20kHz range if your amp is only capable of sending audio signals in the 30Hz to 15kHz range to these speakers. Unless, of course, you hope to upgrade your audio system such that it can properly drive these speakers someday.
In my desire to build an audio system that has the proper balance of individual component capabilities I’ve found myself struggling over the choice of a DAC. Basic technical specifications aren’t necessarily applicable here. The foundation of my system is a Woo Audio WA-33 headphone amp and Focal Utopia headphones. My music files consist of standard CD 16bit/44kHz resolution to Hi-Res DSD files. What I’m struggling with is choosing a DAC that would allow me to get the most out of this amp and headphone pairing. From the research I’ve done so far it is clear that the $23k Meridian Audio Ultra DAC would bring out the best of any system it is connected to. But does it make sense to purchase a DAC of this quality (and price) for my humble headphone system? Or would it be more appropriate to get the Chord DAVE (setting the MQA format compatibility issue aside for this discussion)? I’m currently using an Oppo 105D as my DAC and the music sounds pretty decent, but I know my system can sound better.
So I was hoping to get some input from fellow audio enthusiasts out there to make what may be the most important decision of my system build. I’m also looking at getting a PS Audio DirectStream Power Plant 12 to power this system. Anyone out there have any suggestions or thoughts on this issue?
In my desire to build an audio system that has the proper balance of individual component capabilities I’ve found myself struggling over the choice of a DAC. Basic technical specifications aren’t necessarily applicable here. The foundation of my system is a Woo Audio WA-33 headphone amp and Focal Utopia headphones. My music files consist of standard CD 16bit/44kHz resolution to Hi-Res DSD files. What I’m struggling with is choosing a DAC that would allow me to get the most out of this amp and headphone pairing. From the research I’ve done so far it is clear that the $23k Meridian Audio Ultra DAC would bring out the best of any system it is connected to. But does it make sense to purchase a DAC of this quality (and price) for my humble headphone system? Or would it be more appropriate to get the Chord DAVE (setting the MQA format compatibility issue aside for this discussion)? I’m currently using an Oppo 105D as my DAC and the music sounds pretty decent, but I know my system can sound better.
So I was hoping to get some input from fellow audio enthusiasts out there to make what may be the most important decision of my system build. I’m also looking at getting a PS Audio DirectStream Power Plant 12 to power this system. Anyone out there have any suggestions or thoughts on this issue?
Showing 8 responses by melbguyone
YW SlvrSrfr, In my case I bought my apartment off the plan, and due to the layout of my apartment It would have been a messy and expensive job to install dedicated 20a lines into my audio room, or a balanced Iso transformer. And due to being a Strata development, I didn’t have the option of installing solar PV into mil-spec batteries, so the Gigawatt was a no brainer. If I was starting out & building a new home, I would probably go all out on solar PV, mil-spec batteries, dedicated 20a lines running into audiophile wpo’s, and overvoltage/surge protection. But the Gigawatt gives you most of those benefits in a single box. |
The Focal Utopias are good headphones. If I were looking for a high end headphone amp, I would be sorely tempted by the Viva Egoista - http://vivaaudio.com/en/products/egoista/. It uses a compliment of 1 x 6N1P, 1x 6SN7GTB, 2 x 845, 2 x EH5U4GB tubes. so you could have fun tube-rolling to get the sound you want. If I was going solid state, I would look at the Wells Audio Headtrip - http://www.wellsaudio.com/headtrip/ That is a musical sounding amp & is probably the way i’d go if I were setting up a serious headphone rig right now. And it costs a whole lot less than the Egoista to boot. Re: clean power. I respect PS Audio who make some solid products. In my system I use and have been very happy with the Gigawatt PC-3 SE Evo conditioner which has now been upgraded to the ’plus’ model - http://www.gigawatt.eu/produkt/power-line-conditioner-gigawatt-pc-3-se-evo/I wont go over all the detail, suffice to say It is an outstanding product. Personally I would only consider either Gigawatt or Synergistic Research, though Running Springs Audio make some good products also. Short of us using mil-spec batteries or something like an Equitech balanced iso transformer, that is the the best solution I could recommend, and would compliment running dedicated 20a lines into your rooim. |
cleeds1,458 posts07-17-2018 12:20am slvrsrfr+ 1. If you're investing that much money, it's worth even buying a plane ticket If you can't swing a home audition or find a local Dealer & go on a weekend break interstate.I don’t have the option of trying different components on my system.If you're truly contemplating a $23,000 DAC, you need to find a dealer who will accommodate you. |
bona683 posts07-20-2018 7:07pmI have PS Audio and I'm very happy with it, but Gigawatt is a different league.I agree. Though I think the new PC-3 SE Evo+ model is sufficiently good for my simple system, hence if I upgrade, I'll most likely go for that model. |