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USB DAC, SB touch, NAS

I have been thinking about the future of my digital source and there are many options. The best I think would be a PS Audio PW DAC with a bridge but that would cost over €4000 for the DAC alone and that is way to much for me.

So what other options are there. I was thinking of using a NAS with Squeezebox server software, an asynchronous USB DAC and a SB touch. Or instead of the SB touch a cheap tablet PC. Like a shuttle X50v2.

The first step I would take is buying an other DAC. Then later add a server and an NAS. So what DAC whould be a good starting place. The DAC also needs to work well with my current system and CD transport. An Audio Note kit DAC 2.1 or 3.1, the Pink Faun DAC 2 or maybe a Black Note DSS a modded PS audio link 3 DAC etc.

There are to many options. From what I understood is the an asynchronous USB DAC is the best option. So to chose a new DAC if I indeed want to be ready for the future of streaming.

I'm not saying that I'll buy a new DAC now or in the near future but I am interested. So what do I need to look for in a future proof DAC that sounds less digital then my Wadia 12 but isn't overly warm sounding.
mordante
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,648 posts
 
I would not recommend using the Touch with a USB connection to a USB DAC unless you already own such a DAC. There is little advantage over using S/PDIF, especially considering the inconvenience.

Kal
edorr
714 posts
 
Keep in mind that if you are planning to use USB you are not streaming anything. For streaming you would need the PS Audio + Bridge. Future proof USB DAC is an oxymoron as the state of the art in USB DACs is a moving target and price performance continues to improve. The Ayre was/is the leader in its priceclass for asynch USB, the cheaper Wired4sound appears to leads the priceclass just below.

So you have three options - get a computer + USB DAC (probably wired4sound in your price range), get a computer + very good soundcard with S/PDIF out, or get a computer with a USB to S/PDIF converter. The HiFace EVO appears to be the best you can get for a few hundered bucks at the moment. If I liked my current S/PDIF DAC I would personally get the HiFace EVO (as things stand I have the PWD + bridge and could not be happier)

Of course you can get turnkey music server solutions as well but I am not famliar with those.
mordante OP
511 posts
 
I have taken a look at the wyred4sound DAC2 it seems like a promising machine. But to just buy one online without every seeing one let alone hearing one is maybe a bit to much of a gamble.
I would prefer:
NAS-->Server (iMac, laptop)--->USB DAC-->integrated amp
1
CD transport

Also some DAC are modular, I think this is a smart think. This was you can upgrade the DAC without having to buy a new one. That is one reason why I also like the Pink Faun DAC 2. The Pink Faun DAC standard has 75 Ohm coax and a optical SPDIF input and 2 slots for additional inputs. Pink Faun sell a USB card for one of those slots that still leaves 1 slot open for future options. I was thinking about having a card made for the CEC superlink. This way I can keep using my CEC TL51x CD transport and I can hoop up a laptop to the USB port and in the future I can change those cards again.

But I have no idea how good this DAC is compared to the wyred4sound or a PS audio DAC etc. Sometimes having many options isn't a blessing.
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