DAC nuances

I do think new DACs are better than old. I used to own the Sony SCD-1 SACD player that was modded by Vacuum State to Level 5+. It was a spectacular sounding player on SACD (OK on CD's). The player died a few years ago after about 20 years.

However, 2 newer DACs playing the same SACD's using a $200 Oppo transport + GeerFAB D.BOB (for DSD out) + new DAC connected via SPDIF, were way more detailed and more realistic to live sound. The Sony was really fun to listen to but in comparison to the newer DACs everything was smaller, less detailed, and artificially warm.

The 2 DACs that worked with the D.BOB for DoP (DSD over PCM) on SPDIF were the Meitner MA3i and a 10-year-old RME DAC. The Meitner was the best I have ever heard my SACDs sound.

Unfortunately, my imersiv D-1 DAC cannot do DoP on SPDIF and I cannot play my SACD's on the imersiv D-1. However, if I could I think it would be the best I would have heard on SACD.

The Meitner MA3i and the inversiv D-1 are much for engaging that the old DACs. You hear more of the music and the imersiv D-1 takes you to the performance. The Sony sounded great but never transported you to the performance. The MA3i also does some of that. The RME does not do it to the level of the MA3i and D-1, but it is not bad at all. I was planning on using the RME DAC that I got for free until I sell my CODA #16 amp. Then buy the MA3i (I own the D-1) but the RME is rather good in my small office system, and I may just pocket the money.

@yyzsantabarbara yeah the Meitner MA3i is excellent. It balances musicality and detail retrieval. It’s the DAC I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. 

My DAC (& SACD/CD player) is the Esoteric K-01 XDSE.

I had the X-03SE (the generation before the K-03) and it was excellent. And then a K-01XS that I bough from eBay.

The K-03 uses the same technology as the K-01, just 4 dac chips in parallel per channel rather than 8.

As I moved up the Esoteric line each did sound somewhat better (the X to K switch in particular) and with the XD there was was a slight increase in "body" to the sound.

The Z8 is an order of magnitude below the Esoteric unit you have.

Keep an eye out for used Esoteric K-01 XS or XD to get an upgrade.

I can believe this.  The Esoteric is excellent.  I have an Arcam alpha 5 plus and it sounds better than new DACS in the similar price range. I guess it’s the TDA 1541 DAC chip 

A small selection of my Local HiFi Group, the members who are very adept with electronics are quite intensely into DIY produced DAC's both SS and Valve Circuits being used.

In recent months, their efforts using Obsolete DAC Chips have nailed it, especially where a certain resolution of the available Digital range is to be replayed.

For a few hundred £'s of monetary investment and a period of trials and R&D the end results are now through side by side comparison showing to be worthy to be demonstrated along with DAC's with a value of up to £7K. I am reliably informed the decisions to be made are whether one wants an off the shelf item with all conveniences, but with a sonic that is not betterment, only with a noticed difference in the End Sound.

Alternatively, a cost can be avoided that is up to 20+ times cheaper in cost, of the device that is not 'off the shelf',  not with a Brand Name, not with a Remote Control, but has an impression of End Sound that holds it own very strongly in all comparisons carried out over recent months with DAC's with a substantially increased cost. Not too bad at this stage of development.

Then there is the suggestion that strongly points out, a further £50ish invested in the current power supply design and components used for the circuit, may move the performance on in relation to the End Sound produced another notable step.

A notable step for the End Sound, can also mean DAC's with Values up to £15K might be the new level of DAC needed to be compared with and show where a difference is to revealed for betterment.