DAC upgrade

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

@ricred1 

 Sure. There are lots of variables. But you can treat a room to make it relatively acoustically neutral and then you are going to be listening to the components. Or, with photos you can get an idea what the room will sound like.  In not trying to be argumentative, just that system sounds are not completely random and unknowable.