My Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty streaming DAC is a superb DAC, as well as a superb streamer. Happy listening.
Back to the DAC
Just a bit of an update. When I inquired about a DAC upgrade in a recent post, it was suggested that I look at upgrading my cables first. Since then, I have done so (see my virtual system for that). Not over the top stuff, but a definite improvement over the mostly stock, generic cables I originally had.
System is sounding pretty darn good, but like most of us, you always wonder what a more expensive DAC will offer in the way of sound quality improvements.
Many of the recommended, higher priced DACs seem to include streamers and/or offer pre-amp capabilities. I have a good streamer and pre-amp and really don’t want all those components in one box.
Have any of you experienced a DAC which offers the sound qualities of highly praised units like the Mola Mola Tambaqui, DCS Lina, T&A 200, Weiss DAC501, etc. which their only function is a DAC?
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Great post with great advice-and it is commendable you didn’t give any specific manufacturer’s names. There is a good chance I will never in my life listen to 10% of the components you have, I am curious if you could share what your current 3 demo songs are for your comparisons?
@tvad exactly. Which brings me to....
Dry and hard? I guess to my ears all the other DAC’s are too fat and slow?
Might be a contributing factor to a less than perfect audition? |
I would most highly recommend one of the upper-end Ayre Acoustics DACs. I find that the Ayre Acoustics DACs have a beautifully natural, super high resolution, organic, smooth, extremely dynamic, detailed and transparent signature sound. I have the Ayre QX-5 Twenty DAC with the built-in streamer, but I believe these can be had without the streamer. After auditioning several other reference DACs, all costing more than the Qx-5 Twenty, I chose the Ayre. After auditioning the QX-5 Twenty DAC, I felt that it offered everything I needed in a reference quality sounding DAC, and that there was no need to send more for anything else. Happy listening. |
@kennymacc Ayre makes great stuff, glad you found your game! @mclinnguy +1 @tshark did ya get it figured out? @audphile1 +2 @fleschler - hysteve? CD player? Did I miss something? One thing I just wanted to throw out there. I really think my Gustard R26 is the choke point in the system. I had a $200 Onkyo CD player that sounded on par with the R26 (running coaxial direct into the pre-amp) and when I hooked up the Aurender N200 (through the R26) I didn't really here much of a sound improvement. So, I am really hoping the now, Bricasti M1 Series II will elevate things. I also just saw a Bricasti M12 come up on USAM for not much more that I'm going to put into the M1...darn!
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