Thank you all for your very helpful information!
upgrade question regarding DAC and streamer
I want to improve my system's imaging after having carefully placed my speakers and done some room treatment to reduce reflections.
My system includes a McIntosh MA8950 integrated amplifier, Sonus faber Olympica Nova III speakers, a Silent Angel Bonn 8 network switch and its LPU, and an Innuos Zen Mini Mark III with its LPU. I use the Mini with its Sense app to stream Qobuz to the McIntosh's DA2 DAC.
I am considering a DAC+streamer such as the MSB Discrete (with render/streamer add-on, and its separate single LPU) and the dCS Lina (with built-in power supply). My budget is about 15K.
In the future, I will get a separate preamp and amp, perhaps using the MA8950 as the preamp for a while.
The dealer with whom I have a great relationship carries MSB, dCS, and Innuos (their Stream3 may also be a good option when it comes out). Of course, I will listen to the DAC+streamer options with the same/similar integrated amp and speakers at the dealer's.
For the purpose of improving imaging with my system/room/good speaker placement, does upgrading the DAC and streamer make sense, or should I upgrade to separates first? Or something else?
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I'm in a similar position, with a McIntosh C2700 preamp, currently using its DA2 DAC but am looking for a more musical/emotionally engaging experience. I borrowed an MSB Discrete DAC from my local dealer for a couple of days and had a rather interesting experience - when I connected the Discrete DAC to balanced inputs on my C2700 I wasn't terribly impressed, feeling that it wasn't notably more enjoyable than the DA2. What got interesting is when I connected the Discrete directly to my power amp. It was a completely different experience and had the sound I was seeking - very open, and completely engaging. One of those experiences where I wanted to keep listening to more and more songs. The downside is that the Discrete (as well as the Premier above it in the MSB lineup) doesn't have an option for an analog input. I no longer have a turntable but I do have a surround processor (McIntosh MX123) that I feed the front left and right channels to the C2700 in Passthru for watching video. So for me this would mean a completely separate setup and getting a couple other speakers to connect to the home theater setup. |
@bthartman your experience supports what I recommended earlier in this post which is to connect DAC to amp and use DAC’s preamp section. |
I am the designer and owner of Audio Mirror company. Here I write as audiophile. I highly recommend you to try WAVE DAC and WAVE preamp. I can send you both for audition with no obligation to buy. I will ask you only to cover the shipping cost. I always build audio equipment for my self. To satisfy my taste. If I like it - it becomes a product. I compared both pieces to very high price, top models and they (WAVE DAC and preamp)sounded better. For example VAC Statement and Conrad Johnson ART88. Lampizator Horizon 360 and Aries Kassandra. I can advise on a streamer too. I also think I can fit in your budget. Vlad |
This has been a great thread, I have went through a lot trying to come up with the best streamer for my system, twists and turns ended up with a dead in. I had the Nagra Streamer coming from Switzerland, I cancelled that yesterday because of the cheap made in China power supply that comes with it a 6k streamer with a crappy power supply. Good thing I didn’t give the dealer any money, he had it already coming so he can just sell it to someone else. |
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