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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
tagore2018
1 posts
 
Have a left field suggestion - streamer DAC, DIRAC and pre-amp for USD1200 before shipping. The SHD from minidsp. Mulling one over myself presently having trialed the pc version of DIRAC. Love the DIRAC (sounds great to me inspite just being from jriver media player 3.5mm jack out on my laptop into coaxial and my preamp) and now close to ordering the SHD but with just a little more testing around the DIRAC to complete on my Linkwitz Orions. The SHD isn’t perfect as a DAC (some jitter, albeit inaudible, otherwise measures well and close to Benchmark 3), or streamer (volumio only at this stage) but for that price who can complain.
My set up now - Minix Android box - cheap mini sabre ESS DAC - Rotel RC1070 preamp - Orion active crossover - ATI6012 power amp - Orion speakers.
Dated system somewhat and now looking at cost effective front end upgrade............
astelmaszek
78 posts
 
@hlg3 Exactly the opposite. Most DACs sound exactly the same when fed 4x to 8x CD rate. It's the great DACs that make CDs sound good as in they have the processing to properly upsample: Schiit with SHARC DSP chips, Chord, DCS, etc.
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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