2. digital
  3. 135489-110341

New to DAC, need advice.

I recently purchased a Parasound ZDAC here and it worked well for a short time but then started acting up with short, intermittent bursts of static while streaming Tidal. Then for a day wouldn't play certain parts of the music such as missing a guitar or piano notes. After contacting Parasound they tell me it's a circuit issue. It's out of warranty and they are offering to have me ship it there for repair. It's been error-free for a few days now and in the mean time it's been recommended to me by Jim Williams of Adcom modification fame that I should consider the Pro-Ject Pre Box S2 Digital DAC. It's roughly twice the price I paid for the ZDAC but if I send it in for repair, with shipping, I'll be right around the price of the Pro-ject DAC new, and it can decode MQA files where the ZDAC can't. So I defer to the community here. What's my best option on a limited budget?
128x128ratboysr
ratboysr's avatar
ratboysr OP
60 posts
 
@crock442 I'm using the Windows app for streaming.
ratboysr's avatar
ratboysr OP
60 posts
 
@mahler123 thanks for the response. I replaced the Zdac with the Pro-ject Pre Box S2 Digital ($400) and it's been great.
stray_cat
69 posts
 
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.
ratboysr's avatar
ratboysr OP
60 posts
 
@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.
stray_cat
69 posts
 
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.



More to discover