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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?


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pwhinson
97 posts
 
I had an opportunity to audition the Ayre QX-5 Twenty DAC/Preamp and was underwhelmed. Next to the Directstream it sounded very very digital to me, with the digital "glaze" imparted to the sound. The Directstream at this point is my number one piece but I’m also auditioning a Rockna and a Metrum Acoustics piece hopefully next week. I’m within the 30 day review period. I DID discover a fairly significant bug in the Directstream (at least the Jr model which is what I initially went for)....for me, when I run the unit directly into my pass labs amp bypassing the Aesthetix Janus preamp I’ve noticed a low level warble when the volume on the Jr goes from 75 to 76. There’s some discussion on the PS Audio web boards about it and its fixed pending the next version of whatever supercedes Redcloud. When I brought it to their attention PS Audio offered to upgrade me to the Directstream Sr at no cost to me which was extraordinary. The rest of my system is very revealing with Thiel 2.4s and Synergistic Research cables throughout.  In short, the Directstream is the least digital sounding DAC I've ever heard with great instrumental separation, beautifully layered instruments front to back.  To call it a revelation compared to anything else I've heard would be an understatement.  I also like the sound of the DCS products I've heard but price-wise those products about a tiny step too far unless I want to end up divorced.  I have a dealer hoping I'll hold off on a selection until the new DCS Bartok arrives for me to try.
smodtactical
9 posts
 
If you want something highly regarded by those who have heard it for a budget price check out the lks mh004. Seems to be an incredible value for what it offers.
vinci92
6 posts
 
I own the X1 since July 2018. I can say that this is a streamer that you can't only appreciate in terms of timbre and speed, but also for the image and soundstage. The aeration between instruments, the stereophony and the resolution make the listening session become more of an immersive experience. After at least 500 hours of break in and I'm getting more satisfied.

I strongly recommand to use the optical connectivity. Moreover, the optical connection can bridge the signal from the modem electrical circuit (on which a multitude of pollutants can be connected) to a dedicated electrical circuit. A big plus. A simple $100 Cisco switch and $12 adapter makes this possible.

I prefere the one box concept. First, the server inside is totally dedicated to one sigle task, wich is not the case with a computer that runinng multiple processes and services in the background. Second, the integration with the DAC is direct and well designed.
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