DAC's Streamer and Preamps


I have been searching for a DAC for a while now.  In the meantime I have been using a laptop plugged into my preamp until I decide on the DAC I want.  I definitely know this isn't optimal. In my search I have been looking at individual DAC's, DAC's with preamps or volume control,  DAC's  with streamers built in and sometimes all three.  I wanted to throw it out there and find out what people's preference is?  I know previously having everything separate was the best way to go but because of technology things has changed a bit.  What are your thoughts?

brbrock

Do you have a budget restriction? Schiit Yggdrasil is a good starter DAC. 

For me the R2R Yggi+ OG is an end game DAC. Especially the discontinued A2 variant (or Yggi+ OG DAC). I would not replace this DAC with anything mentioned in this thread up to $20k.

At this current time, you may see a lot of Yggi DAC variants show up on the used market. The reason is that Schiit has just released a new Delta-Sigma DAC that people are loving. Schiit actually designed the whole thing from scratch. That is ZERO off the shelf ships, such as an ESS or AKM chip. Not many digital companies can do that. Rockna, Playback Designs, Chord come to mind but they are not delta-sigma.

I am in the queue to get the Byggi DAC via an upgrade of my other DAC, the Yggi+ MIB variant. the cost of the upgrade is $1500, and the new cost is $3500. It can also be used as a digital volume with some DSP though I will not use that feature. I will use it with a RAAl VM-1a tube headphone amp, Kara F preamp, and Benchmark HPA4 preamp. All connected at the same time.

Even though the Yggi+ OG is an incredible DAC I am considering selling it along with the Yggi+ MIB and Yggi+ LIM cards. This gives someone 3 flavors of DACs. Easy to hear the differences on my system. The reason is to generate cash for the best DAC I ever heard and that cost $26k, the Allnic D-15000 Signature OTL/OCL. 

Do not listen to OTL/OCL gear it will be hard to go with anything else afterwards. Very expensive.

 

My rule of thumb is choose the very best at your investment level and ~ $Streamer = $DAC = $Preamp (yes, separate) =$Amp.

@ghdprentice more modern high end DACs include a preamp section now. The volume control in some of these units rivals what an equally priced preamp can do. Some of these DACs also include very competitive network cards for streaming (as a roon end point for example). You would really need to dish out some serious dough to improve on the performance of these units. Unless you have multiple sources you might not actually need a preamp. Another use case for a preamp is if you wanted to add tubes to the chain. 
 

I believe you can get into a new PS Audio Gold dac at 40% off.

Go to their website.  Nice reviews and it has a decent analog output stage if you need time to buy a preamp.  

I believe you can get into a new PS Audio Gold dac at 40% off.

Go to their website.  Nice reviews and it has a decent analog output stage if you need time to buy a preamp.  

+1 @yyzsantabarbara 

 

I own an OG Yggdrasil. At double or quintuple the price I paid, I would consider the LTA or cheaper Lampizator DACs, but I don’t think they have the drive and guts of my Yggy. They don’t have better resolution (I am fresh from much listening at CAF).