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Best DAC / Budget

I think this is a gain issue between my analog and digital sides - but I just don't know enough
I hit a wall with the digital side yesterday
I generally listen on the lower side of listening levels
Yesterday I came home and decided to see what this rig could do and put it through it's paces on both the analog and digital side.
I'm playing vinyl on a Nottingham 294 space deck with a 12" tone arm and a Lyra Delos cart - through a EAR 843 tube phono stage - line input on a Rogue Cronus Mark I - KT120 tubes - bypassing the Rogue phono stage.  It sounds just completely glorious. I'm very happy with it.
Digital is a different problem. I've always understood this gear was meant as place holders - they got the ball rolling.
I'm streaming from Tidal, through a Pro-Ject Stream Box Ultra 2 (ethernet cat 6 hard wired to a router), through  a gifted Schitt Mano 2 DAC.

The Problem:
Analog completely surpasses the digital in every way
Digital - turning up the volume (to very high levels) only seems to result in filling in the low register and not actually increasing the volume.
I'm fully aware I am comparing a DAC to a Deck which costs many times more.

Looking for recommendations for a separate stand alone DAC which complements the analog side and for an idea of budget.
Thanks everyone







smaarch1

Showing 1 response by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
4,509 posts
 
For $1300 the Gustard X26 Pro is a steal. It is an incredible DAC. I would love it if someone would compare this to $10K to $20K DACs. This DAC will not be out of place with the very best systems.

It runs rather hot though (temperature wise). Going to be a hot summer of music listening for me. The Benchmark DAC3B that I also have is now relegated to computer and TV sound via TOSLINK.  The music is now coming out of 2 relatively low priced heavy hitters, the Gustard X26 Pro and the AudioMirror Tubadour III SE.
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