2. digital
  3. 132171-1590

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
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

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.

I don't understand how a reclocking of the switch will help.  The stream is packetized and the master clock is in the final interface, not in the switch.

The LPS will definitely help though, and it must have DC common tied to earth ground.  This reduces leakage.  This makes the biggest difference.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

limniscate
233 posts
 
@audioengr 

Sorry, I meant the sMS-200 Ultra with a clocked switch before the Ayre QX-5 Twenty.
essrand OP
163 posts
 
I think there is enough consensus coming around the fact that ethernet is better than USB, that I am starting to believe, although never having tested it myself.

@limniscate  if you look at the latest review of Ayre DAC, the review does mention that the ethernet sounds better than the USB, if I remember correctly.

I think I have changed my mind. Yes I would definitely prefer a ethernet interface. Not having to buy a fancy music server would be icing on the cake. Just a NAS and a laptop on the ethernet would work?

I believe the Bricasti is certified roon-ready, I recently checked the Bricasti and Roon website to confirm it.

Yes, a shootout would be great, I have been following mattnshilp's thread for years now.


audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Just a NAS and a laptop on the ethernet would work?

Yes, anything that will run Audirvana II or Jriver.

The Bricasti webpage shows DLNA and specifically calls out Jriver and Audirvana II.  This is not Roon ready.  Maybe they have another Ethernet interface that is not DLNA?

Like USB, all Ethernet interfaces are not equal by a long shot, and the best performance will be the Ethernet interface inside the DAC with I2S bus directly to the D/A chip or logic.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

markalarsen's avatar
markalarsen
375 posts
 
Bel Canto Black EX DAC. It should be available later this month. 
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