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DAC upgrade

Looking to take my digital side of things to the next level. 
 

L-shaped new room. Sloped ceiling. Big space. 
 

D’Agostino HD Preamp, M400 amps, Aurender W20 with their Master Clock. Wislson Benesch Resolutions with two REL 32 subs. Great interconnects.

 

Have a Chord DAVE DAC. It sounds good. Still a little clinical and sterile. Haven’t gone into the world of tubes. I’m an amateur for sure but read a lot of what you all say and am trying to elevate my game. Truly enjoy this hobby and the happiness that music brings. Just learning what the next step might be. 
 

Thank you for your input. 
 

wjcasey3rd
tcutter's avatar
tcutter
399 posts
 

I listen to the Playback Designs MPD-8 through Wilson-Benesch ACT 3zeros. This DAC preserves/presents the midrange beautifully. 

rushton's avatar
rushton
2,446 posts
 

Like tcutter, I use the Playback MPD-8 DAC. Yes, it is expensive. But it is an amazingly revealing, high resolution, and eminently musical DAC. As you upgrade, consider the DAC the heart of your digital system. If you listen to ultra high resolution digital, your DAC should be comparable in quality to your turntable/tonearm/cartridge/phono stage combination. Think in those terms of equivalency as you consider the investment to be made in your DAC.

FWIW, here’s an article I wrote in 2022 for Positive Feedback describing my experience living the the MPD-8. My opinion of this piece of gear has not changed. If anything, I am more impressed by it.

Downsizing Journey Update: Four Years with the Playback Designs MPD-8

Good luck with your upgrade!

 

tcutter's avatar
tcutter
399 posts
 

@deep_333 

Curious as to how many Wilson Benesch speakers you have listened to critically.  I have upgraded to my third pair and regard all of them as uncolored and accurate. No sizzle, boom or other anomalies with the best midrange this side of an electrostatic. Perhaps you perceive the lack of coloration as sterile. 

tcutter's avatar
tcutter
399 posts
 

MPD-8: $23k at TMR

 https://tmraudio.com/fresh-arrivals/playback-designs-mpd-8-dac-d-a-converter/

jk_richards's avatar
jk_richards
279 posts
 

Want a great DAC with an optional built-in streamer for a reasonable price?

Here is one option.

The Modified PS Audio Directstream DAC is a great option.

This is one of the best sounding DAC's that does not sound digital.  The Limited Edition Signature Series PLUS with the all the new bridge II upgrade Streamer network card option. 

It's a DSD / FPGA / Audio Transformer based DAC. No DAC chip!

 To make it even better I would recommend using a pair of fiber media converters to connect it to your network.

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