Proper DAC Upgrade for my modest system.


Looking for some advice from people with lots more experience then me

My local dealer has recommended the RME ADI-2 DAC, or the New NAD 658. Buying a DAC is "hard". But was looking for some veterans thoughts. The NAD I could replace the Yamaha Streamer and get some money back.

Anyone have an opinion of the Wadia 122 DAC? I got one on clearance so decided to pull the trigger, its 100% better then the Parasound zDac Gen 1 I was running, but making sure for around the $1200 ( My budget ) price point I am making the right buy.

System is WXC Streamer --> Wadia 122 DAC -->AVR/Pre-Amp - B&K 125.7 Bi amped to KEF R11’s via Rocket 44’s.

I use Tidal for all content - I don’t do anything other then stream Tidal and some Apple Music if certain songs / albums are not on Tidal. Some day I might progress into "higher res" but the cost of files seems a low ROI vs Tidal at the moment.

Appreciate everyone’s insight on this topic.
128x128crock442

Showing 4 responses by luxmancl38

The Chord Qutest and the $2500 Chord Hugo. Compared them in the store and took them home to demo on my system. Who's your dealer?
I have the RME ADI-2 DAC and it really is a fantastic unit. I tested it against some DAC's at twice and 3X the price and the RME beat them all. Price and feature set is unbeatable. Plus there are features on this DAC you won't find in most DAC's. Don't know of any DAC's in the 1K category that have a 5 band Parametric EQ and a dual EQ function.
I thought so. That's where I go. Ask John if you can borrow the RME he usually has a demo unit available. . I have my RME w/a Bluesound node into a Luxman CL38U-SE tube preamp. Aerial 5T speakers and a Bryston 2.5 SST2 amp. I've dealt w/John for over 20 years.
John always has me demo equipment I'm interested in before purchasing. Makes a big difference in deciding what's right for your system.