DAC upgrade

Have a Chord DAVE DAC. It sounds good. Still a little clinical and sterile.

I couldn't agree more.

A DSD DAC like the Directstream posted above is the closest sounding DAC to analog as I have heard.  Unfortunately in stock form it is just not good enough to keep up with the big boys.  With the upgrade modifications it's a whole different story.   Also you might consider the newer Directstream MK2 with upgraded audio transformers and AC input upgrade as you already have a good streamer.

I currently have both the modified MK1 and newer MK2 and love them both so much I find I do not get the urge to even break out the vinyl. 

Sometimes I think we forget it’s a "system". No one can predict how a DAC or any component will sound in a particular system. I’ve owned and/or listened to the following DACs in my system... Jeff Rowland Aeris, PS Audio Directstream, Rockna Signature, DCS Bartok APEX, DCS Rossini APEX, Mola Mola Tambaqui, and several more. I currently use a Chord Dave DAC and would love to replace it for under $20K. I’ve tried the M-scaler and I don’t like it in my system. To my ears the M-scaler makes the music sound unnatural. With the exception of the DCS Rossini, the Dave portrays the best soundstage and details(without brightness in my system).

@ricred1 

I agree... But if you are familiar with the components, one can usualy have a good idea of the effect and if it is likely to be a good match. So, if you’ve got a very precise sounding system and add... say a very analytical DAC... it’s likely to push the system too far. Or if you have a very warm organic system that very analytical DAC it is likely to sound good... adding needed detail.

I’ve seen some folks here with a complete mixture of components... and though, great combination of warm and cold... and they loved them. Also, some folks with a string of highly detailed (far more often) analytical sounding components that they complain about... fatiguing, or causing sibilance, or they just get tired of listening. 

So, I definitely agree... but one can often predict the likely outcome if you know the components. 

ghdprentice,

I agree to a certain extent, because the room impacts the sound as well. My point is a system with the same components can sound different due to the room’s influence. 

Based on my recent experience going from GIK Acoustics to Artnovion Acoustics, I'm a big advocate of treating the room before changing any component.  

Done!….

https://youtu.be/5lWHARmhtkk?si=wIJ8_pGCKqRIWeXv