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DAC OR NO DAC???

I am a newbie here and just getting into hifi and I am sure this is a dumb question but if anyone can comment and help me out?

I am currently listening to a lot of youtube music videos(quality varies) and tidal from my hp laptop via hdmi connect to a marrantz 7704. the 7704 seems to be decoding the signal pretty well. I tried a audioquest dragonfly red and it gave me some interference or something. ( maybe I needed the jitterbug to go with it?) so I returned it and just using the hdmi. Happy with tidal also but really like the music videos. One question is hdmi sound quality not as good as I could get? Can a dac help from this source? a dac to try that uses an hdmi? or should I just forget hdmi? A dac to try for under 500 or should I just wait and spend more? Thanks


My startup system consists of bw 804 d3's ( I do see where people say they are a little bright but so far I am enjoying them:) Marantz 7704, McIntosh mc207, bw 805d3 and htm1d3 for movies, fathom 212 that I turn up for movies and back down for music, source as described above and audio technical at lp5 ( I know it is a cheaper one but wasn't sure how much vinyl I would listen to but I am impressed with the quality of the new vinyl and sound I am currently getting compared to digital) -room 13 x 15 no acoustic treatments yet




rwrightcpa

Showing 16 responses by rwrightcpa

rwrightcpa OP
30 posts
 
I appreciate everyone's responses and I do want to try a DAC I just don't want to spend thousands. I like bang for the buck so I will look into the nad 45 and the schiit dacs.

Thanks again
rwrightcpa OP
30 posts
 
bthartman

I am paying for hi res tidal since my daughter is in college we get half off:)

I don't mind spending more and would like to see what even better quality options sound like I just don't want to spend 5-10k as I see some go for:) at this point.

I have been starting to research the options everyone has been pointing out to get some idea in  what direction to go.

Once again thanks for everyones 


rwrightcpa OP
30 posts
 
ok ok:) 

I think I am going to go with the yygy. That's seems to be the one everyone has been mentioning the most, It is backordered till 9-11. I just missed a used one that was gen5 but he sold it already for 1800 I believe. I think I will just buy new for only 600 more. It may a bit but will keep you posted. 


Thanks again
rwrightcpa OP
30 posts
 
mbag

I hear ya. I just listen to relax with a glass a wine or two:) at the end of the day. I don’t want to be overly critical. If it sounds good to me I am happy. I definitely don’t want to throw money away. If I did go with a new dac there is typically a trial period so if I did not hear a difference I would return it.

Thanks for the input.
rwrightcpa OP
30 posts
 
caphill

I was thinking of something close to what you have mentioned.

I don't know exactly of all the options I may have since I am not that experienced but I was thinking of leaving my existing setup as is for movies and upgrade my floors and go with a c2600 and a solid state amp ( or some combination that I can enjoy going and listening and researching till then at different shops) and set up another room that is available just for music where I could add the dac/streamer that you say would make a difference in a different setup or with an integrated rather than with my 7704. I will definitely research more.

Thanks for the input.
rwrightcpa OP
30 posts
 

caphill

Classe Sigma SSP mk2 preamp processor only has 5.1.2 so only two atmos speakers? I have four atmos and a total of 9, are there options to include all the atmos speakers? I guess I can just keep the 7704 and try a stereo pre or integrated. I like the idea of going with the classe and I amu not beed a  dac,


rwrightcpa OP
30 posts
 
caphill

I have an extra nuforce amp running the atmos speekers. I will keep track of your other discussion on the Lyngdorf MP-50 and wait and see if you think it is worth it.
rwrightcpa OP
30 posts
 
I think I am going to hold off for a bit to research the dacs a bit more and maybe get a new pre.

I am pretty happy with my current setup for the time being, Its better than what I had before:)

Thanks again for everyone's responses.
rwrightcpa OP
30 posts
 
caphill

If you don't mind me asking what you have in your designated listening room?

Your ht setup is to die for:)
rwrightcpa OP
30 posts
 
I just bought the classe sigma ssp mkII last night on ebay for 3250 delivered. I figured I can't go wrong a that price. I am anxious to try out the stereo play back from my digital sources to see how it compares. I guess I will just switch back and forth the preamp connections from the 7704 until I find another amp and try the ht hookups as well just to sample:)
rwrightcpa OP
30 posts
 
caphill

Wow that is impressive. You must be the very small percentage of people that are on this forum to have such a system. Enjoy:)

Thanks again for all of your input and sharing.
rwrightcpa OP
30 posts
 
I received the sigma but unfortunately it had some issues and I sent it back. 

I am just going to stick with the 7704 for now and an leaning towards getting the mc 2600 and try a stereo tube pre. The 7704 has pure setting that I can pass through the 2600 rather than use the 2600 all the time.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated. 
rwrightcpa OP
30 posts
 
I could not get any sound out of it. Tried alot of different Video fine, but no sound at all. Talked to support and did a factory reset and still nothing:(
rwrightcpa OP
30 posts
 
@ caphill

Yes I was disappointed but he is going to let me know when it comes back from warranty.

Thanks for all your input.
rwrightcpa OP
30 posts
 
How do you guys feel about the mc 2600 internal dac?

Do I need a dac with it?
rwrightcpa OP
30 posts
 
 yes the Mcintosh  mc 2600 preamp sorry:)
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