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Is my Cal Audio Sigma II too old?

It seems like I have had my Cal Audio Sigma II DACs for 12 years or more. Is this too old? Have DACs come that much further since it was made? I always liked the warmth of this tube based DAC and currently have a Telefunken smooth plate in it and still enjoy the sound. Regardless of its age, it still sounds less harsh than the DAC built into the Sonos Connect I use for my digital listening. This is connected to a NAS drive with redbook cd flac files. I don’t really have the 2 grand at the moment for a Benchmark 3 or a Mytek Brooklyn but I’m not sure I need or want all that additional functionality. I just use it to decode the digital signal. Would a more modest DAC outshine this older unit?

The rest of the system consists of a McIntosh C712 preamp, McIntosh MC2102 tubed power amp and Magnepan 1.7i speakers.
mzm6bb
jl35
2,244 posts
 
Some prefer the older DAC's, though I think most prefer newer digital technology. I agree the DAC in the Sonos is poor, and I also use mine with an outboard DAC
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

A newer DAC will deliver more detail and better imaging/focus.

However, the jitter from the Sonos is something that should be addressed first.  If you don't have a low jitter source, the DAC will not make that much of a difference.  Many use the Synchro-Mesh to reclock the Sonos digital outputs to lower the jitter.  Synchro-Mesh also provides galvanic isolation on input and output, so eliminates the ground loop from Sonos to DAC.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,180 posts
 
I would dump the older dac AND the Sonos for a Oppo Sonica (problem solved). I would then get rid of that pre amp it is the weak link in your system. You have a very special amplifier a different  pre amp would make the most positive change in sound.


Matt M
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