DAC's Streamer and Preamps

@jallan On January 10th weekend I am heading out to a headphone audio event. The show will have the following:

- dCS Lina Stack

-Imersiv DAC (along with DAC designer)

- Allnic D-15000 Signature OTL/OCL (my choice as the best in the world)

- my Schitt Byggi (if I get it delivered to my home by January)

- Chord Dave

- Mola Mola Tambaqui  (not sure)

A couple of headphone dealers will bring RAAL 1995, Stax, and ZMF. Attendees will also bring their own phones; I will bring a Focal Utopia OG and a RAAL SR1a.

This is a great way to compare gear. I can gauge where the Schiit Byggi fits in this group. Last year, my Schiit Yggi+ OG was sent with a friend, and it was closely compared with the Mola Moila Tambaqui and Chord DAVE. 

Here is what the DAVE owner said about the Yggi+ OG. My friend liked the OG more than the DAVE.
Colorado Head-Fi meet impressions (December 7, 2024) | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

Another Head-Fi’er, @yyzSB, sent his Schiit Audio Yggdrasil+ OG DAC with Danny, and I got a chance to listen to it not only driving my Immanis through my Zahl HM1 and VM-1a, but also through Danny’s Feliks Audio Envy. It has great tonal density—more than my Dave. And it does bass drum better than I think I’ve ever heard. Not only with the impact of the drum strikes, but the hollow reverb (I mean hollow in a good way here) of the sound of that strike bouncing around inside the drum. Timbre across the rest of the FR, and technicalities, were a touch behind my Dave, with the Yggi+ sounding a hair more digital. But the Yggi+ is also much less expensive and offers insane SQ per $.

@jjss49 

the yggy’s are pretty nice overall, have a lively personality, but the lampi’s are in a different league of realism of soundstage, "analogness" of presentation, and musical drive/impact when the music calls for it

I have always considered a tube DAC but was never swayed because I feel some resolution or detail is lost with tubes. Though the tubes give other benefits. [Edit: I just remembered I had the popular tube DAC Audio Mirror Tubador. It was nice but it was also missing detail.]

The Allnic DAC that I am raving about, and about to get a 2nd job to buy it, is the most detailed DAC I ever heard. It is also a tube DAC and has an incredible holographic sound. From my research into the South Korea designer, I am inclined to believe this guy is onto some genius level OTL/OCL designs. I think it is this OTL/OCL that elevates the Allnic from other regular tube DACs. like the Lampi et al.

My comments on the Yggi+ OG above are not to meant to say it is the greatest DAC. It is meant to say it is the greatest DAC at that price point.

I like this post from today comparing the Yggi+ OG with the new Byggi,
Schiit Yggdrasil Impressions thread | Page 963 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

In my experience separates are the way to go.  That way you can change or upgrade over time. Especially if you’re like me and enjoy tweaking your system and also trying out the latest and greatest equipment.  On the other hand.  If you don’t like tinkering and want to just get it and forget it, go with an all-in-one setup.  

Generally- separates perform better by isolating noisy circuits from each other, and future upgrades easier to replace a single function component. However, it’s costlier with more casework and cabling.  Digital continues to evolve rapidly vs analog - a good reason for separates.

DAC with volume control- Generally, one can run the DAC without a preamp, but a preamp will usually make it sound better (more engaging, realistic…). 

But, there may be exceptions.  I moved from a separate steamer and DAC to a streamer/DAC because a used Linn DSM/2 w Organik DAC was a fantastic sonic bargain in the realm of top DACs.  I also moved from a separate preamp and amp to an integrated because the Audionet Humboldt offered reference top Sonics but within my budget.