The DAC Advice Thread

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by señorhifi, Oct 16, 2020.

  1. diligentbutler

    diligentbutler New

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    SMSL D400EX is garbage?
    I was stupid enough to believe the advertisements and YouTube "reviewers" and bought the "top" SMSL. “The latest and greatest chip set. Musical, soft, fluid sound.” Right?
    Bullshit!
    The resolution is good, I admit. But the sound is sharp, digital, lifeless, tasteless, fatiguing. Bass is too dominant, treble is metallic, pain for the ear. I dare say even the SU-1 sounds better than this. For the fraction of money.

    I am done with this overadvertised brands (SMSL, Topping, Gustard).
    What should I buy instead?
    What is important: realistic sounding, very good timbre, not congested, not sibilant, can handle busy passages. Budget around 1.5k euros/usd WITH headamp (synergestic wit the dac). New or used.
    What is your suggestions for both?
     
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  2. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Going to be difficult to find a DAC/Amp that meets those requirements. To me, the amp is way more important than the DAC. That said, there is a new amp that is out that accepts a DAC card, either the ESS card or the multibit card. However, it will meet the criteria for around $750 US, not sure how much that is in Euro's.

    https://nitschsound.com/products/pietus-maximus?variant=44126612816026
     
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  3. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Since you're in the EU, how about checking out Meier Audio or Violectric?

    You might be able to snag a used Meier Corda Soul within your budget, or there are several Violectrics that have a built-in dac option as well.
     
  4. zottel

    zottel Friend

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    I second the Meier Audio suggestion. The Soul is quite a bit more expensive than 1.5k€, but the Daccord (DAC) plus Jazz (amp) is a spectacular combination, especially given that it’s only € 800,– altogether. See also my reviews of the two here on SBAF:

    Daccord FF: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/meier-corda-daccord-ff-impressions.12898/
    Jazz FF: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/meier-corda-jazz-ff-impressions.12899/
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2023
  5. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    If I want the sound of a Gungnir Multibit A1 (tonally dense/strong note weight, realistic timbre, excellent spatial qualities, big dynamics) with more detail and better blackground, is Yggdrasil A2 my best bet? Anything else I should be considering up to $1600? I am seeing used Yggdrasil A2s going for $1600 and can probably find one lower if I’m patient.
     
  6. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    I've seem them sell on the used market around that price, like this one from earlier this year: https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/meier-corda-soul.46312/

    But yeah, start with the Daccord and Jazz and maybe consider the Soul as an upgrade later on if he likes the sound.
     
  7. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Yes. This is exactly what I heard from that upgrade. Plus even more expansive soundstage in all directions.
     
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  8. roshambo123

    roshambo123 Friend

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    Yggdrasil A2 is also correction to some of the weirdness in the upper mids/highs I feel like I heard sometimes on Gungnir MB A1. You will not look back. It's the perfection of that signature.
     
  9. internethandle

    internethandle Almost "Made"

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    @Merrick What looks like an A2 (and I think Gen 5 USB?) is up on USAM for $1250 - listing last edited about a month ago though, so you would need to ask if still available:

    https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650030734-schitt-yggdrasil-dac/
     
  10. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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  11. Climber

    Climber Facebook Friend

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    Any thoughts on an inexpensive ($300-or-less new/used?) DAC with good timbre and tonal saturation? Slammy and dynamic would be the second ask. Spatial presentation is less important (doesn't matter much to me with headphones,) just give me enough layer separation to not get congested on complex stuff and I'll be happy.

    Since Gungnir MB A1 is a reference, I could just do a Modi MB ... but thought I'd explore other options. Really wishing I hadn't let the Airist R2R go a few years ago. (I bought before I knew it was plagiarized, honest!) Maybe a Modius E to shake things up? What else should I be considering?

    Source will be Pi2AES, amp might just end up being a Piety or maybe my WHAMMY if I can un-lend it. Headphones will vary -- I'm not in love with anything right now -- and at the moment I've got stock HD650, Grado RS2e, Modhouse Argon, and I'm soon to get the ETA Ada loaner.
     
  12. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    I’d recommend the Bifrost2 OG or the Zen DAC Signature. Both are slammy and dynamic DACs but the BF2 would take the cake for timbre, stage and many other aspects. ZDS would be a bit more grainy, smaller stage, less realism etc.

    Both have a bit of treble issues. Bf2 is a bit edgy in the lower treble, whereas the ZDS is a bit glarey in the upper treble.
     
  13. Climber

    Climber Facebook Friend

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    Thanks, really helpful. I was expecting some tradeoffs at this price point so I'm not surprised by the treble problems. Bigger issue is that ZDS looks to be USB-only -- it's not that I *need* to use the Pi2AES per se, but I really would like to be free of my laptop for music listening (and I don't want to deal with adding a DDC in this small second setup.) Which I guess leaves the OG BF2 ... a bit more than I was looking to spend for sure, but I will keep an eye out.
     
  14. internethandle

    internethandle Almost "Made"

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  15. decompositions

    decompositions New

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    Any suggestions on non schiit dacs in the $1-2000~ range new or used that come with a remote to switch inputs?

    I currently have a gungnir multibit a1 running for my tv/couch setup where it has a usb input from the tv/games computer, a spdif from pi2aes, and an optical from the tv for game consoles - it's inconvenient sometimes to have to get up and press a button to switch the inputs around, so looking to get something with a remote and try something outside of the schiit lineup while I'm at it since they're all I've really owned minus some vintage stuff. The options for stuff with a remote looked pretty slim, I'd been thinking about trying a Gustard R26 but looking for stuff I might have missed.
     
  16. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    What about a SwitchBot Bot?

    https://us.switch-bot.com/products/switchbot-bot

    I use one of these with my Bonavita coffee maker that does not have a timer. It works off Bluetooth and an app on your phone. Maybe not as convenient as a DAC with a remote, but it should work.

    I also know the Holo Cyan 2 does not have buttons or remote, but auto switches to whatever input it detects. Although this may not work because multiple inputs could be on at the same time depending on your situation. Like the Pi 2AES is not active unless something is playing, but you might have your computer on but want to hear sound from the TV. You have to go up to the Spring 3 for remote control.

    The PS Audio Directstream I and II have a remote, but the DS I is only going to be great modded. The DS II is supposed to be better. Not sure there is many missed.

    But really the Yggdrasil GS+ is a steal right now at $1699. Basically a fully remote controlled A1 Yggdrasil.
     
  17. decompositions

    decompositions New

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    The switchbot is actually a hilarious/clever idea, I think I'll actually try this out I've never seen one of these before

    I did look at the holo cyan 2 and yeah as you said I don't think it'd work out - some of the folks on here said it seems to prioritize/stick to certain inputs, so I don't think it would work out since I leave the PC on most of the time and it seems to stick to USB if it finds it. I did consider the spring 3, but that's a bit pricier and moves up to a new price bracket where I'd probably just look for a used may instead if I were going to commit to spending that much.

    GS+ is definitely a great option, I think the bifrost would be too, but I already have a couple schiit dacs around including an yggdrasil on my desk setup, so this is admittedly partly an excuse to try something different.
     
  18. Beefy

    Beefy Friend

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    Soekris dac2541 can switch inputs and volume from an Apple remote.
     
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  19. artur9

    artur9 Facebook Friend

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    I got a 4-5 SwitchBot smart plugs and 3-4 died within a year. Granted, power at the location is suspect but still.

    SwitchBot was good about replacing the first one but I was too annoyed to pursue replacing the other ones.
     
  20. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I can't say I have used any of their smart plugs. I will say on the Bot, they give you two double sticky pads for placement and I figured out why...you have to remove the whole thing to replace the battery. Luckily my pads were sticky enough to place it back no problem. I will say, the batteries also lasted a long time and the app will tell you if they are getting low.

    Also, a SwitchBot Bot would also probably work on an old non-remote Yggdrasil or on the original Bifrost.
     

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