Galion vs Luxman vs Advance Paris vs (anything else)

@bthartman i appreciate the recommendations and I have heard good things about the Laiv DACs. I’ll have to check some reviews. I have been experimenting with Qobuz, but I find it does not do as good a job in recommending new music as say Spotify.  I find that quite challenging. I’ve read Tidal does a better job - I may give that a shot. I like Qobuz a lot though. 

You mentioned SXM having terrible bit rate quality. I also listen to SXM quite a bit via a BS Node 130 + LHY LPS + BlackIce Tube DAC. I also use Qobuz.

SXM SQ is surprisingly good so I’m wondering if it’s your DAC or internet connection? 
 

(they don’t publish their streaming specs)

@macg19 if I had to guess it is likely my DAC.  A couple of thoughts (1) I generally use the DacMagic 200, however I’ve experimented with the Denafrips Ares II.  I found that was a big step up.  I’d like to find a used Pontus 15 at a price point that I’ve seen previously online   (2) I think my internet is ok as it is hard wired directly from my router   (3) I probably was I sloppy to have used the term bit rate   I have zero evidence as to what those numbers are or are not   What I should have said is my ears suggest the sound quality is not what other services offer  (4) I’ve always been interested in the Black Ice product line - did you try a different DAC before that one?  Any observations?  (5) curious as to the choice for the LPS on the dac vs the Node?  I suppose you could do both?  (6) I just add a Furman Elite 15 PFi into the mix - it replaced a power strip.  I believe it has improved the SQ of my turntable a great deal   I am still experimenting with streaming to see if I can hear any difference or if I’m creating it in my mind.   Thanks for the comments!

You’re welcome!

The BlackIce DAC is the only external DAC I have had in my system. I did quickly swap out the stock tubes and ended up with NOS RCA black plates after moving the pricey NOS Mullard’s to my phono stage. 

I have the luxury of being able to compare the DAC directly to an analogue source at more than 10X the cost and it’s astonishing how well it competes with the Node 130 as the streamer-only. I have a few other tweaks in the digital chain all listed in my virtual system but in all honestly I’d have to take them all out and add them back one at a time to provide any meaningful feedback.

The LHY LPS is used in the Node 130 not the DAC. The LPS was a meaningful upgrade and very reasonable. I had very good service from Alvin @ LHY/Vinshine.

All the best!

@ctlesq - I own a Denafrips Ares II and Black Ice Glass Tube FX DACs.  When I originally purchased the Denafrips DAC I chose it over the Black Ice DAC primarily based on the purchase price and the fact that the Ares II doesn’t have the headphone amp capability that is a wasted function for me. Eventually, curiosity got the best of me so I purchased one of the very last Black Ice DACs (after they listed them as not available).  I started with the upgraded Psvane tubes that I was told were essentially a copy of an Amperex tube  I have since upgraded the tubes and now have NOS Amperex Holland tubes that are identical to the famous Bugle Boy tubes with different labeling.  They improved the sound to my ear as it was a bit too warm for my system.  

I would consider the two DACs to be equals from an overall sound quality perspective, but they do sound different making it a personal preference.  The Denafrips seemed to have a blacker background (less noise) which I miss at times. The Black Ice has a more 3D soundstage.  It’s a bit of an apples to oranges comparison because I also changed tubes in my Pathos Classic One MKiii amplifier as part of the change. I had been using 1960s Mullard Great Britain tubes, but got a set of NOS 1960s Mullard Great Britain gold pin tubes. The gold pins resulted in a dreamy sound, but it was a bit too warm for my taste. Part of my motivation for trying a different DAC was to see if I could find the right balance with the gold pin tubes. It took the NOS Amperex tubes in the DAC to bring it all together.  I plan to keep the Denafrips DAC for the future as I anticipate that at some point I won’t be able to get the tubes needed to keep me happy.