A new dac?

deep_333

2,070 posts

11-17-2025 at 01:54pm 

@audphile1 , If i put a few dacs at various price brackets behind a curtain, started flipping that A/B/C/D switch,,,,,whatever you can pick out as an "improvement" or not would be very "hit or miss" and pulling teeth, i bet.
 

That isn’t how you compare components - flipping ABCD switch. That’s one. Two - in my system I can tell you what’s an improvement and what isn’t if I lived with each DAC for a minimum of 2-3 days. So if I had to compare 4 DACs it would take me about two weeks provided these DACs are more similar than different. If you want me to compare a $320 DAC to my Meitner it would take me 30 seconds. At most. 
 

@thecarpathian 

I don't know, your current system looks like it was put together with care, and a lot of thought was given to component selection and the end sound produced.

Given a $10,000 budget, you could (probably) significantly improve upon it. With $1,000, you can't realistically hope for anything better than a lateral move.

Streamers are the one major component with the least bearing on the end sound. Why not get a Wiim Ultra; it's cheap enough that when you upgrade you can move it to your kitchen system.

If I were in your situation, I would keep my current system, and I would spend my $1,000 on a Wiim and a nice used turntable and cart. Something fun! A new $1,000 DAC doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun.

@devinplombier , I did indeed put a lot of thought into it, thanks. Patience and waiting for a really good deal paid off! Think I will grab a Wiim Ultra. Read good things about them and inexpensive enough. I actually have two turntables and a nice phono preamp. I've got a Denon dp-57l, weighs a ton and has a beautiful rose wood veneer in pristine condition, with a sut as it's a Japanese market version (dp-62l American). Also a while back bought a Fluance RT85N to see what all the hubbub was about. It's a dandy of a tt. Phono pre is a BAT VK-P5. Didn't bring them up as they're of course not relevant to a dac search.

@thecarpathian 

a quick story - 

when I was looking to upgrade from my old Bel Canto DAC, I got two DACs for a home audition - Chord Qutest and Mytek Brooklyn II. I chose Qutest. It sounded more natural and had a less forward presentation than the the Brooklyn II. I had two of my audio buddies hear my system with both DACs independently and both picked Qutest as a winner without me telling them what I liked. 
My system at the time was Rogue RP1, Rogue ST100, Martin Logan Montis. Source was old Mac Mini via USB. 

Doesn’t mean you would like the Qutest but it’s in your price range. 

Carpathian

Nice vinyl rig you have already!

Meanwhile, there's a Signature version of your Belles Aria that pushes out 125wpc @8 ohms and 235wpc @4 ohms. That should be plenty of headroom in your setup. If you like your amp's sound signature, maybe it can be upgraded. Just a thought