New to DAC, need advice.

Didn't need too much work to decide: Node 2 is much more engaging/inviting to listen to, in spite of the pro-ject's (in my room with my music and ears yada yada) better tonality and "cleaner" sound. Music through it is so alive, bass so tuneful I can't help but nod my head and tap my feet with the music, and the deepest bass I've had in *this* space. There is a "rightness" to its delivery bottom to top. I detect no glare, brightness, or fatigue (like the pro-ject).

I've read reviews on gear where the reviewer hardly had notes because he was into the music so much, well.. that's the effect it has on me.

I *know* and sense it's not perfect.. but don't seem to care, all that matters is the mood is coming through from whatever's playing. Introspective, upbeat, playful, tragic, etc.

 Funny thing, I was clueless how or where BluOS got or compiled a random list of tracks and artists I never heard of before and played it without my input but I *got* that music too (my wife took over from her tablet lol).

I'm using cost appropriate AC power sources, Pangea 14SE MkII w/c7 connector Cord off my older micromega myDAC fed by an antique US made Tripplite LC1500 Conditioner I've had in my main rigs since '85.

Node2 rocks! I encourage you to try it for yourself.

@stray_cat, now you've really piqued my interest in the Node2. I've been extremely happy with the Pre Box over the ZDac, especially MQA files (there's a significant upgrade in details in these files), but you never know what you're not hearing until you hear it. Please let me know what you find in your AB testing.

Ok @ratboysr I did it, but couldn’t duplicate the conditions. Listened from the same space this time, at lower levels. The volume was much higher yesterday while I was throughout the house going about my business.

I sensed the pro-ject’s sound is more refined and tonally seems more correct, ie: piano, wood strikes, etc. (unamplified instruments) but need to do more critical and AB listening. The musicality is still there, but different experience at lower levels, with different music. Toslink out from the node2 so no MQA full unfolds.

I’m also almost sure that the node2’s output/voltage swings were slightly higher.

I’m more impressed now with the pro-ject’s performance fed from a hardwired node2 instead of a computer. Seems more alive and I *almost😀* don’t care anymore about MQA.

Oh, I never wired up my win7 laptop, was streaming Tidal wireless to it. Very happy camper with both..for now lol.

@stray_cat, thanks for the response. Several people above recommended the Node2 as well. I went with the Pro-ject at the suggestion of a trusted source. Now I'm wondering if I should give the Node2 a shot. I'm very curious about the Node2 through the Pro-ject.

I streamed Tidal (in Win7) over a .7m Oyaide Neo d+ Class A USB cable to a Pre Box S2 digital for a month, replaced with a Node2 yesterday. What a difference, everything is now so alive and involving, the interplay (timing) and emphasis of threads within the tapestry is now so distinct, I can see into the music without trying. The sense of musicality is so engaging.

With the pro-ject, I enjoyed MQA cuts more. Now I just don't seem to care, it's all just so enjoyable. I'm thinking that not going through the USB interface is what is making the difference.

Next, will try feeding the digital node2 signal to the Pro-ject and see what happens.

@mahler123 thanks for the response. I replaced the Zdac with the Pro-ject Pre Box S2 Digital ($400) and it's been great.

@crock442 I'm using the Windows app for streaming.

Another question is portability.  Some DACs can be used will cell phones and other potable devices and then plug into a system at home.  Is that a requirement?

I may have missed it up thread, OP, but what is your budget?  Also, do you need a CDP?  Many players have Digital inputs so that their DACs can be used by other digital sources

What are you using to push Tidal to the S2 Box?

@2psyop Well I got the Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital. I appreciate everyone's input. I can say without hesitation this DAC is FAR superior to the Parasound Zdac whether playing MQA files or anything else. I could not be happier with my choice. To my ears it is simply amazing.

haha!! Thats great! I can send you the Ayre Codex via fedex. Oh wait I dont have one, even for myself to use. I would either try to Pro-Ject and let us all know how it sounds....or save a few bucks and get the Bluesound. But hey don’t forget the Meridian Explorer 2 for $199.00. It is a USB DAC stick that will handle Tidal MQA. Great for testing the waters...

@2psyop Thank you very much. I appreciate you educating me without being condescending to my lack of knowledge. You wouldn't have an Ayre lying around that you'd sell to me for the price of the Pro-ject would you? Figured I'd ask...

“@2psyop I’m streaming Tidal HiFi from my Windows 10 PC to the ZDac via USB then into a Micromega IA-100 integrated. So I’m ok with USB to the Pro-ject. I like the dual mono as well and it’s certainly in my price range. I’m curious about your comment about digital out from the Pro-ject into another DAC. What is the benefit of using two DACS in series?”

Well you would not be using the DAC in series. With a dac or streaming/dac device that incorporates a digital out connection you would be able to BYPASS the internal DAC in that device to output the digital signal to the external DAC for better sound. An example woud be: The Bluesound Node 2 connected to the Ayre Codex DAC. In the settings menu of the Node 2 one can choose to send the digital signal unconverted to the Ayre for full DAC process. If, as in the case of the Ayre, the external DAC is MQA capable then the complete MQA signal will be handled by the Ayre.

BTW the Ayre Codex is a $2000 DAC, therefore it is sure to sound better than the internal DAC of the Bluesound!

@2psyop I'm streaming Tidal HiFi from my Windows 10 PC to the ZDac via USB then into a Micromega IA-100 integrated. So I'm ok with USB to the Pro-ject. I like the dual mono as well and it's certainly in my price range. I'm curious about your comment about digital out from the Pro-ject into another DAC. What is the benefit of using two DACS in series?

I think moving away from PC/USB source combo by itself will give you better sound quality and is the right way to go. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the sound quality and ease of use switching over to Node2.

Well, if you wanted to upgrade for cheap, the ZDac 2? 

ratboysr what you are hearing is your dac not being able to play hi rez files I had the same thing happen to me. Anything in Masters you should avoid or you will get static. If regular 16/44.1 recordings work there is nothing at all wrong with your DAC.

Ratboysr- I am wondering about your setup. I think the Project Pre-box S2 will only input a digital audio MQA signal via usb. Optical or coax will not. I don’t know if you are using a computer with Tidal app via USB as a source, but that might be something to consider. Also it does not incorporate a digital out, which would not allow you to add a better DAC later, if you wanted to do that. But I like that Pro-Ject uses a dual-mono design. That is incredible at it’s price point. I am one here, among a few, that use a Bluesound Node 2 that I like very much. In my rig, it works very well.

@2psyop I'm definitely playing HiFi and MQA files and did not consider that the ZDac could not handle those correctly. Well I did discover in my troubleshooting that MQA files are out but didn't know about HiFi. That may be my decision right there to move away from the ZDac.

@kalali and @ amg56 I’m using my Windows 10 PC as the source with USB. I’ll check out the Bluesound, thank you both.

@gdnrbob unfortunately the Gugnir and Yggy are out of my price range for now. But thank you for the suggestion.

@jond i'm fairly new to Tidal and I don't see where you can determine the resolution of the song you are streaming. I have the HiFi membership and play Master recordings when available. But I'm fairly certain the files it acted up on were not Master versions.

jond- good question! I don’t think the ZDAC will play MQA or hi-res files. If the OP is not trying to playback redbook quality he might?? be getting problems with the device. Try spotify or other streaming services orbtry Tidal non-hirez material and if DAC is playing fine, that is the problem.

Just out of curiosity was any of the stuff you were streaming when you got static higher resolution i.e. 24/96 or 24/192 or MQA?

I would consider a Schiit Gungnir or Yggy. Sorry no MQA on those, but I am not a proponent of that tech.
To be more cost comparative, a Schiit Bifrost Multibit is more in line, but the other models really go way beyond the Multibit, unfortunately, at a greater expense.
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What source component are you using for streaming Tidal? If a computer using USB, you may want to just get a dedicated streamer/DAC like Bluesound Node2 and go completely wireless. I suspect the built-in DAC in Node2 is on par or maybe even better than a zDAC and you get MQA quality sound from both analog and digital outputs. Just a thought. 

Thanks for the input. I was leaning that way as well for the MQA but wanted to see if anyone felt very strongly about repairing the ZDac or had a third option/suggestion.

If the price is right, try the Pro-ject DAC box. I like Parasound but the MQA alone makes the Pro-ject better.

Erik thanks for the reply. I really like the ZDAC as well but I'm hesitant to listen to anything at volume because when the static kicks in it's REALLY loud and I'm afraid of damaging my new speakers. Everyone seems to agree Mytek (well out of my budget sadly) is amazing but I've heard mixed reviews on Schiit.

I _really_ like the sound of the ZDAC. For the price, and when it was available, it is a really nice piece of kit! 

If you are going to upgrade, you want to look at Schiit or Mytek. 

On the other hand, the ZDac can make a nice DAC for your desktop. :) 

Best,


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