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

@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.

Yes the streamer matters its not just about clocking a dac can’t correct for a  corrupted signal the better the data stream the better the soundcwill be we have sold most brands of streamers including innous,aurender, 432 evo sotm baetis and a few others and they all affected the sound quality coming out of the dac.

Dave and Troy

Audio Intellect  Nj

@maam522a  AHA a fellow music lover trying to replicate or beat the LP12 sound. Back in the day It was LP12, Ittok and an assortment of cartridges. LP12 under the stairs to stop feedback from the TDL Monitors I was using at the time. Both myself and my brother had the TDL Monitors and noticed how my modern speakers just didn’t quite make the grade. It’s been a long road of discovery but eventually I think I’ve got the solution. Well for me anyway. I’ve settled on the PMC Twenty5.26 speakers as PMC started where TDL left off. Very detailed speakers with the Transmission line sound I used to love. The amplifier’s are Hypex Nilai 500W Monoblocks. Neutral with unbelievable control. Sorting out a DAC was one of the hardest things. I have a Qutest FPGA, uDAC R2R and Topping D90SE. The Qutest is very detailed and analytical. The D90SE is extremely detailed especially in the bass if a little sterile. The uDAC is detailed but provides a lovely sound stage which is very musical and very satisfying to listen to. Not quite so detailed in the bass but the treble and mid range are superb. It’s always a compromise. 

Now I needed a purely digital domain streamer that supports Roon. All the controlling will be done by the Roon app so there is no need for any fancy display. In fact it can be out of sight. To this end after much experimenting I was demoed a Diretta link. This is consisted of two boxes one a host with Roon Bridge on it and the other the Target with USB out. The boxes are connected by Ethernet cable. This system sounded absolutely astounding. I’m not really interested as to why but it was simply unbelievable. It beat the top end streamers I had previously auditioned. 

So there you have it. My brother thinks it’s actually better than my LP12 used to be. Very detailed. You hear more from the tracks. Sound stage almost surrounds you. Bass the LP12 could only dream of due to the limitations of records. 

I’m very pleased with the outcome to be honest. One last point with Qobuz I no longer need a spare room to store the records.

Hope this helped. One mans Journey :)