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Solid state DAC under 12K retail preferably with ethernet

Looking to upgrade from AMR DP-777 and go solid state.
These are the ones I know or read about: Bricasti, Berkeley, Aeris, DirectStream, ODSE, Meitner, Luxman DA-06

Am I missing any other important DACs I should be looking at or reading about?
Currently leaning towards Bricasti M1 SE.

Rest of my system: Coincident Frankenstein Mk 2 300b amps, Devore O96
essrand
tdimler
114 posts
 
Bricasti, Berkley, Aeris....all good choices plus they have the benefit of really superior volume control if you need it.  The Mytek Manhattan II which was mentioned is also a good option...I have the Manhattan I and it is great.

Among all, Bricasti would be my choice.  The M1 SE can be fitted with an ethernet module as well which is Roon ready.  One thing you are getting with Bricasti is absolutely top notch customer service.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

I don't believe the Ethernet interface on Bricasti M1 SE is Roon ready.  According to their website, it's DLNA, so it's compatible with Audirvana plus and Jriver, as is the Empirical Audio Overdrive SX. 

Empirical Audio also offers a WIFI solution that sounds identical to the wired Ethernet.

Since these are similar, a shootout would be interesting, like this one:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/absolute-top-tier-dac-for-standard-res-redbook-cd?lastpage=true&page=74#1477560

Steve N.

Empirical Audio


limniscate
233 posts
 
@audioengr 

That has not been my experience with some ethernet-based DACs like the Ayre QX-5 Twenty.  It still sounded better with a SOtM tX-USB Ultra behind it clocked by a master reference clock and through a modified switch.  I'm pretty sure the upstream server would make a difference as well.
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
1,105 posts
 
“It's that last Ethernet interface before the D/A that uses the master clock that matters”

@audioengr,

Great point. It’s imperative to pick a player that has decent Ethernet interface to tackle jitter. My N10 does a fabulous job of minimizing jitter with onboard OCXO clocks. Also, it’s worth pointing out the use of a quality Ethernet cable to reduce noise and data transmission errors.

On my last visit to RMAF, I have seen few Ethernet switches that were focusing on jitter control with their onboard OCXO circuit and separate linear power supply. 

audioengr
3,282 posts
 

That has not been my experience with some ethernet-based DACs like the Ayre QX-5 Twenty. It still sounded better with a SOtM tX-USB Ultra behind it clocked by a master reference clock and through a modified switch.

If there is USB involved, then it's not Ethernet to the D/A converter.  You are maybe using a uRendu?

This is not the same as using Ethernet to I2S to the D/A chip.


Steve N.

Empirical Audio

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