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Standalone DAC upgrade from onboard integrated

It’s about time I posted, I’ve been following long enough. I want to bypass the onboard DAC (Burr Brown) in my new Musical Fidelity M6si integrated with a standalone DAC to drive my Magnepan 1.7x’s. Budget is $1-2k. First issue: can I realize an appreciable improvement over the onboard DAC in the M6 with a unit in that price range? Second issue: I love the detail, clarity and imaging I get from the Maggies, but I don’t want them to get too clinical with a new DAC. Hence, I’ve been looking mostly at R2R typology to keep the “musicality”, perhaps at the expense of some precision. My listening tastes are mostly jazz, classical, with some vocals thrown in. Sources are about 50% streaming, 30% vinyl and 20% CD. Other components include Blusound Node, Marantz TT-15/Clearaudio Virtuoso and a 5 year old Marantz CD player. All insights or suggestions welcome.

phydo
franktc55's avatar
franktc55
27 posts
 

If you have a preamp laying around, that will also do the job, at-least in my Nu-Vista. I’ve added a pair of LRS+ and I’m happy in my modest listening room.

bikefi10
113 posts
 

The Maggies can be bright and I do not like clinical sound. Love their openess and soundstage.

I have Maggie 1.7i s with upgraded stands and an external XOs.

Amp Odyssey Kismet.

Bluesound Node 2i with external Keces LPS.

DAC mdht Orchid with upgraded tubes. 

In my case the Orchid helped ease the brightness along with the XO upgrade. LPS on the Node made a noticeable improvement too.

 

 

mike4597's avatar
mike4597
303 posts
 

If you are looking new at that price range, I would consider the Schiit Gungnir2, which is $1599 with the Forkbeard option that gives you some equalization and volume control as well via an IOS or Android app.  I have one in my system, and it does a superb job in its key role of music reproduction--we now mostly stream music.  I will soon upgrade to a Linear Tube Audio Aero tube DAC and will be "cascading" the Gungnir2 to my second system; it definitely is worth keeping.  Schiit offers a 15-day trial period, with a five percent restocking fee.

gumbedamit
121 posts
 

@phydo 

Maggie's are very revealing as you know. I just purchased a Gustard x26 Pro, yes its older but more than holds its own against newer DAC's. I've owned many Large panel Maggie's over the years.  My current system is a pair of Acoustat Spectra 33's,  which are a bit more revealing.  My question is, what are you missing from your current DAC, what are you looking to improve on your current sound.  Once you figure that out you can look at the characteristics of the DAC you want to hear in your system. 

Oddly enough I just used Copilot,  told it what I had and what I wanted to hear,  and it came up with the Gustard.

Enjoy the Music

duckey's avatar
duckey
38 posts
 

I really like my Denefrips Pontus 15 DAC and I highly recommend the Denefrips Hermes re-clocker to straighten out the signal feed from your streaming provider. Both of these units are extremely well made and you can feel this by the weight of each unit. A little pricey but compared to others....a super value overall.

If your on a budget, the Wiim Ultra is a excellent value for the money.

 

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