2. home-theater
  3. 151595-2164

DACs for older gear

A seemingly knowledgeable poster at the Bryston thread of AudioAficionado suggested that the DAC process of my Bryston SP3 is older technology and that my Oppo 205 has a better DAC that I might use.  The SP3 has a number of features that make it flexible, including lots of balanced ports so I'm reluctant to discard it.  It appears as though DACs that accept HDMI input that I might use in front of the SP3 are rare -- I've read the licensing fees for HDMI are very expensive.  Is there an obvious solution?  Other than for the 205 and SP3, I've moved to the Ayre 5X series for stereo.   
Ag insider logo xs@2xdbphd

Showing 4 responses by dbphd

Ag insider logo xs@2x
dbphd OP
1,616 posts
 
The SP3 is now disconnected and will join the pile of components I need to sell, so the issue for me is moot.  My goal is to simplify, because I mostly use Roon to play files from Qobuz and Tidal, and files I've ripped or downloaded.  Ethernet to the QX-5/20 is superb for that.  I rarely spin a disc anymore.  I did add an Audible Illusions Modulus 3 preamp to use with my Thorens TD 124/SME III/Ortofon 30H, but that's just playing with icons of my youth.

db
Ag insider logo xs@2x
dbphd OP
1,616 posts
 
My Ayre QX-5/20 digital hub has ethernet, USB, S/PDIF, and optical audio inputs, but no HDMI.  I use ethernet for Roon and will try optical from the Oppo 205.  Strange that although my Ayre DX-5 DSD has HDMI output ASFAIK no Ayre component has HDMI input.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
dbphd OP
1,616 posts
 
I use balanced output from the Ayre DX-5 DSD to the KX-5/20 preamp for stereo, and have pretty much turned to the Oppo 205 for surround and HT with front LR passed through balanced analog to the KX-5, and surround to a pair of NAD C 268 Class D amps.

If frostdotcom is correct, I might connect the audio HDMI from the Ayre DX-5 to the SP3 for surround and HT.  I can then switch the NAD amps between XLR from the SP3 and RCA from the 205 to determine which I prefer.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
dbphd OP
1,616 posts
 
I've settled on separate stereo and HT setups.  The stereo setup uses Ayre 5X Twenty components with KEF Ref 1s.  The HT setup uses the Oppo 205 and NAD amps with 6 KEF LS50s.  Each setup has a pair of subs.  The setups reside in a single rack, but share no cables.

The stereo setup is used mostly for Roon, the HT setup for Cox Cable.

db 
More to discover