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Post by petea on Apr 28, 2023 7:35:58 GMT
Like many others I have been following the discussion of the Leo Bodnar clock in another thread and this has started to include discussions about choices of DAC, etc. While all the information about what we use and, in some case, the journey taken to get there is contained in other threads I thought it might be useful to create a thread in which we can record our current choice and maybe some links to how we got there.
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Post by petea on Apr 28, 2023 7:51:20 GMT
I have 2 main systems, one in the UK an one in Germany. Both use the same model DAC although the 'pre-treatment' differs in them slightly (but will probably end up the same). Lab12 DAC1 Reference This is a ladder DAC using "8 x Philips TDA1543 DACs in a special parallel resistors ladder configuration with no oversampling and a passive I/V stage and a dual triode tube stage in each channel". The is no option for an external clock although in both set-ups I re-clock the feed to the streamer (using an Innuos PhoenixNET in the UK and an EtherRegen + external clock in Germany - although I will change this to another Innuos unit this year). The streamer is a Naim NDX in Germany and a Naim NDX2 in the UK. However, my main digital sources are Fidata servers and these are connected to the DAC directly by USB. In the UK this is 're-clocked' using an Innuos PhoenixUSB re-clocker / 'power conditioner' and I have a second one for Germany, but haven't brought it over yet. www.lab12.gr/product/dac1-reference/ |
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Post by Tobias on Apr 28, 2023 8:03:33 GMT
I have 2 main systems, one in the UK an one in Germany. Both use the same model DAC although the 'pre-treatment' differs in them slightly (but will probably end up the same). Lab12 DAC1 Reference This is a ladder DAC using "8 x Philips TDA1543 DACs in a special parallel resistors ladder configuration with no oversampling and a passive I/V stage and a dual triode tube stage in each channel". The is no option for an external clock although in both set-ups I re-clock the feed to the streamer (using an Innuos PhoenixNET in the UK and an EtherRegen + external clock in Germany - although I will change this to another Innuos unit this year). The streamer is a Naim NDX in Germany and a Naim NDX2 in the UK. However, my main digital sources are Fidata servers and these are connected to the DAC directly by USB. In the UK this is 're-clocked' using an Innuos PhoenixUSB re-clocker / 'power conditioner' and I have a second one for Germany, but haven't brought it over yet. www.lab12.gr/product/dac1-reference/This is amazing information for a newbie like me who is trying to absorb and understand such new high-end information and different types of tweaking options. Thanks! |
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Post by stellabagpuss on Apr 28, 2023 8:23:33 GMT
Great idea!
The journey starts as follows..
Audio Alchemy DAC in box
Musical Fidelity XDAC V3
John Kenny Cinuas DAC
John Kenny ISODAC
RME ADI-2 DC
Project S2 Digital
SMSL M400 DAC
Gustard R26
Been on DAC,journey since the 90s,personally the big jump in audio terms was going to PC base replay. And more recently the discovery of the LB clock on the end of a R26. Of course there has been the TAS forum, and great sharing mentally,with a honest approach to tweeks as in PSUs Graphene Sheilding...2023 has been a golden era in improvements for myself.
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Post by MikeMusic on Apr 28, 2023 9:17:58 GMT
My TAD D-1000 started life as a DAC only
The Pre was already included then TAD added the CD drive so mine is a CD / DAC / Pre
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Post by MartinT on Apr 28, 2023 9:29:53 GMT
My DACs have been...
Assemblage 3.0 (Burr Brown PCM1704)
Beresford Caiman II (Wolfson)
Beresford SEG (Wolfson)
LKS MH-DA004 (ESS 9038Pro)
Gustard X26 Pro (ESS 9038Pro)
The story of my ultimate DAC search is too long to reproduce in full, but here is why I have ended up with, and am very happy with, the Gustard:
The Beresfords were my first 'proper' DACs with the ability to give a decent amount of insight into the music and compete with my SACD player. Where the Wolfson chipset won was in a very musical presentation that was not the last word in resolution, but always sounded nice (a bit like Spotify).
The LKS was my first attempt to go truly hi-res in detail and soundstage resolving power, and gave me my steep learning curve in understanding the downsides of chasing resolution. It did, however, inform me that the ESS chipset is the one for me as I don't like 'nice' or 'rounded' presentations, I want it as the studio meant it to be heard. The Gustard solidified my conviction that I prefer the ESS sound, but has the advantage of custom digital filters that do a better job of extracting maximum resolution while minimising phase issues and keeping control of the response curve. It also features an external 10 MHz clock input, essential for getting the best possible clock into the DAC.
I now run the Gustard U18 DDC and X26 Pro DAC as a subsystem with the AfterDark Emperor Triple Crown master clock, Tubulus I2S cable and Harmonic Technology clock cable. I also feed it with regenerated power using Coherent cables and have it on an Electric Beach S1NX platform, further decoupled with Black Ravioli feet and Schramm weights on top. Also a grounding box each for the U18 and X26 Pro.
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Post by John on Apr 28, 2023 11:52:54 GMT
I been through a few DAcs
PS Audio digital link 3
Tara DAC
Beresford Bushmaster and Seg
Topping D70
Topping A22
Gustard R26
DAC interfaces
Mutec mc3 usb
The U18 did not work for me just brought my system to forward
Audio GD Di20 HE more balanced but buggy
I no longer use a interface
I would say its not all about the DAC removing ground noise helps also
Over the years my ears have become more susceptible to harsh digital noise.
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Post by daytona600 on Apr 28, 2023 15:19:12 GMT
Lampizator Horizon & Dcs Rossini Apex
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Post by Clive on Apr 28, 2023 15:50:08 GMT
My DAC history….I hope my memory is working! It’s a scary list with the tech having developed muchly…
Cambridge Audio DACMagic 2
Parts Connection Assemblage 2.0
Parts Connection Assemblage 2.5
Metrum Octave mk2
JK Ciunas DAC
IFI iDAC + iUSBPower
JK Ciunas ISO-DAC
Metrum Musette with DAC2 modules
Gustard A22
Gustard R26 + LB clock
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Post by Tim on Apr 28, 2023 16:01:13 GMT
A very lo-fi journey for me; A quick turnaround of the first two which were a Musical Fidelity V-DAC II then a Beresford Caiman. HRT Music Streamer II+ (which I still have and use in my study desktop PC system) Rega DAC which I've had since June 2011 Not quite sure how I arrived at the Rega, a recommendation on the AoS forum I think - but I love how it sounds together with the Brio-R and never felt the need to change it yet. But I've never professed to being an audiophile, I just like playing music  |
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Post by Slinger on Apr 28, 2023 16:03:37 GMT
On my main system, a TEAC UD-H01 that I've had from new and never even thought about changing, because it works with my NVA system beautifully.
On the second system, a Vincent DAC 1 MK, but as my latest amp is an all-singing all-dancing Arcam I'll be comparing it's integreated DAC with the Vincent, and maybe doing away with one box.
In the past I've had a Weiliang Dual AK 4497, which is a very decent Topping D70 clone, an array of different SMSL DACs, a Beresford, and probably some others I can't remember.
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 29, 2023 9:21:01 GMT
When did you get the Arcam, Paul?
Is it one of their Class G efforts?
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Post by Slinger on Apr 29, 2023 12:10:07 GMT
When did you get the Arcam, Paul? Is it one of their Class G efforts? I've had it a while, Jules, I've just been too lazy to set it up. It's an SA 10, which Arcam describe as "Class AB" I got it for a " too good not to buy it" price, from Peter Tyson. The next one up in the range, the SA20 is "Class G," which is about five-hundred quid more expensive. |
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Post by mattspl on May 26, 2023 7:46:22 GMT
My first Dac was a Matrix Audio Quattro.
I now use a Resolution Audio Cantata 2.0.
I might send it in to be upgraded to the 3.0 at some stage, but it doesn’t do anything wrong at the moment, so no rush.
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Fro
Rank: Quartet
Posts: 288
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Post by Fro on May 26, 2023 14:30:10 GMT
EMM Labs DV2 is my DA/Preamp for music and A/V in my reference system. Couldn't be happier with the sonics and versatility of all the digital inputs!  |
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Post by HD Music & Test on May 26, 2023 15:06:07 GMT
Dac's are a bit of an in joke here
It started way back in 1992 when was introduced to a Wadia 15 ................ and the rest is history
Currently in the demo system rotation Tad DA1000 (plus), MB Reference dac, Playback Designs dac 8, Dcs Rossini Apex, Chord Dave (demo room doorstop), Aqua xHD, Trinity Audio Silver reference, CH Precision C1.2 (single box), Bricasti M1 S2, Rockna WD signature / Wadia 15i (enhanced) Wadia 25 (enhanced+ lol)
Other units around:
Topping D90/Rockna WL/Holo May KTE/Denifrips T2/Soekris 2451/Burl Bomber/Belcanto Dac3.7/Belcanto Black dac/Oracle Paris 2500 dac/Gustard A26/R26/Meitner MA3 (DV2 sold a couple of weeks ago)/Meridian 808 thingy. More normal type of dac in storage.
Wadia's of this afternoon 68 items. including eight W27's / two complete 931/922 combo's /full older Wada 9 set / 921 dac's / 15 dac's / 861's /860x's / 850's 16's
Dac's are part of the DNA here at HD test & Music towers.
I know therapy beckon's  |
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Post by MartinT on May 26, 2023 16:20:54 GMT
I've just got to know what that is? |
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Post by Slinger on May 26, 2023 16:40:12 GMT
I've just got to know what that is?   |
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Post by ant on May 26, 2023 16:55:59 GMT
First one i had was an arcam black box 3, then on to a musical fidelity x24k. Both used with an arcam delta 170.3 cd transport. Then no dacs for a long time as i was using an inca design katana cd player. that broke and i did some faffing with philips cd players. i needed one to go with a mac mini in about 2010 which ended up being a beresford tc7510. One i use now is a topping e30, this has a cyrus cd7 and a streamer that i forget the name of plugged into it. Dont use it much, i wanted it more to run a laptop and rew for measurement purposes
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Post by HD Music & Test on May 26, 2023 17:01:48 GMT
Burl Bomber:- it's great party dac no question, best discription comes about 1.58secs into the clip
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