2k DAC that gives me what I want like my vintage LP12

Well Until you hear it, then you will realize how awesome Digital has become over the years, the Music streamer is like having a great dedicated CD transport. I use a Outboard DAC with a Aurender X100L music server, it connects with a USB audio cable, this is very important because this is the unit you interact with directly and this company has one of the best Apps (conductor) for interfacing with your music. Did I say how Incredible the sound is coming from this music server?? . The sound using Tidal with MAX resolution is dynamic, detailed, with tons of PRAT (pace rhythm timing), there are live instruments in my room! I love the digital sound in my system Funny thing is, I am really a vinyl guy, I have a JA Michell Gyro SE turntable with a Dynavector 20x2 mc cartridge and a Manley Chinook phono pre. And while my vinyl sound leaves me nothing to be desired, my digital sound is better. 

A GREAT DAC to try If it were me would be a MYTEK Brooklyn DAC, the DAC is also key in the digital chain, they all sound different too.  

Matt M

"2k DAC that gives me what I want like my vintage LP12"

not sure if it’s possible! analog sound gives me a feel of jazz/blues/rock band performing up front of me, while nice dac and digital media track gives clean, sterile (lifeless) sound..

@mattmiller 

The reason I started the discussion is because I respect the opinions of those that have already gone down this road.  The mid tier gear that I have shows me how far I am from my goals.  With the insight of others, I hope to stay out of an endless rabbit hole.  It appears that there are some great DACs than can get me into zone for around the $2k range.  I stream High Res today but there is no magic to be found.  I do use USB today as well.  

Form the reviews I have read, something along the lines of the Pontus 12 or 15 might fit in.

@westcoastaudiophile 

I am not sure if it is possible either - thus the conversation.

@maam522a Can you explain why the source components have influence on the chain.  If a DAC is reclocking the data stream and there are no errors being transmitted, how could a streamer feeding the DAC influence the sound coming out of the DAC?

Yes, with async USB, it doesn’t carry the audio clock timing information — the DAC serves as the clock master and reclocks the data stream. However, the source can still influence sound indirectly mainly due to:

1. Electrical noise coupling into the DAC if the USB is poorly or imperfectly isolated (galvanic isolation quality can vary widely).

2. Reclocking does not change tonal characteristics, including note edginess, which are shaped by the streamer’s DSP or filters.

I use an I²S connection, but I have also done comparisons with USB. The distinctive sound traits of my streamers — everSolo T8 (brighter) and Volumio Rivo+ (on the warm side of neutral) — are still carried over to the DAC via USB.

Another experiment I conducted is also interesting: my Laiv Micro DAC allows one to choose the source of timing, either locally from the DAC or via I²S. The Micro DAC is inherently warmer than the T8, yet the T8’s brightness carries through regardless of the timing source.

Lastly, the iFi Zen Stream was my first streamer and is known for its solid galvanic isolation on USB. With all other factors controlled, the T8 sounds significantly brighter than the iFi Zen Stream via USB.