Lumin T2 sounds wonderful with a very strong company behind the product.
Seeking a Tidal full MQA streaming DAC
Feature set aside, which of these three units has the overall best/most enjoyable sound. Lumin T2, Aurender A10 or PS audio Direct Stream w/Bridge II. I keep changing my mind as to which one to get. It would be difficult at best to try any of these before buying. If there is something else I should consider please let me know. I need Full MQA, Qobuz, ethernet or wireless is ok. Ripping and storage is not as important to me as streaming(lazy I guess). Any direct knowledge/opinions would be appreciated. I am not particularly tech savvy so I need a little help. I am currently using an OPPO 105 as a transport with a Wyred 4 Sound DAC2V2 SE to my Aesthetix Calypso with PS audio M700 mono amps. I am thinking I can do better with a better source. I have entry to mid level cabling from Schimtt, Harmonic Technology, Audio Art, Signal Cable and Cullen.
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TEAC NT-505 and I see that these new DACs are available - TOPPING D90MQA AK4499 DSD512 Bluetooth5.0 USB DAC LDAC Full Balance Decoder I am currently using a full balanced SMSL SU-8 with the 9038 ESS Sabre chips. Do you think that I could actually hear the difference between these DACs? Any improvement? I can not truthfully discern any improvement in sound between the SMSL unit and the 100 dollar DAC I used before, a PreSonus USB Audiobox recording and playback DAC meant for home recording with a 96K Cirrus chip. I do use balanced cables and a Re-Clocker along with Audirvana and powered monitors https://www.ebay.com/i/114013045351?ul_noapp=true and there is the Gustard A22 with DUAL AKM4499 and MQA - MQA coming this month a bit more kit at $1150 I am tempted for the Topping D90MQA and with the savings over the Gustard trying a Schiit Freya + |
@mizikeI am currently in similar situation. Trying to figure out between lumin t2, Aurender A10, TEAC NT-505 with master clock and Mytek Brooklyn bridge. Let me know how T2 sounds in your system. Does anybody have any experience with an added external clock to the DAC. I am tempted to go for TEAc Nt505 with master clock. |
There is a user on this form who bought the clock for his NT-505 and he said there was an appreciable improvement. I just sold my Bluesound Node 2i and Schitt Yggdrasil in favor of the Teac - no doubt the streamer was the bottleneck but regardless I am very happy with the performance of the Teac. I'll probably grab the clock when I find a good deal on one - you're definitely getting into the law of diminishing returns but if it improves on an already excellent unit than it's worth it. |
@audiojedi Thanks. I am very close to buying BB or Teac-NT 505. I am very well aware of "diminishing returns". I have changed so many cords, cables, room treatment, integrateds to experience that "small perfection". I am now in final stage to get my "perfect" system. Let me know once you get master clock for your nt505. |
I'm running a Topping D90 MQA DAC coming from an Innuos Zenith MK3 and playing out to a Primaluna EVO 400 Integrated Tube Amp and out of Klipsch Forte III Speakers. I can recommend this DAC highly and have it playing via Tidal. MQA is recognised all the time and decoded with aplomb. Do bere in mind that to do this you will have to use the USB connection to enable MQA decoding. Other then that..... I am enjoying the DAC within my setup. Clean sounds with good Bass, Treble and rhythmic. You can also choose from six filters to adjust the sound to suit your system/ears. |
