1. Home
  2. digital
  3. 198372-223892

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
mirolab
219 posts
 

I'm super happy with the sound of my Schiit Bifrost 2/64.  I tried a couple other  DACs in the $1k range, and they did't come close to what I get from the Bifrost.  I tried a Denfrips Ares II which is R2R, and I did not like it at all.  Strange.

I'm driving it with the Eversolo DMP-A6, and all is fine EXCEPT that the Eversolo will not pass Bluetooth audio through to its digital out.  That's just crazy!  While I rarely listen to BT, it would be nice when friends visit and they want to easily play something from their phone.  Can't do it!  

pkthesublime
21 posts
 

@phydo Based on the type of music that you listed, and the fact that you prefer an R2R, I would highly recommend the Denafrips Pontus 15th. I know it's at the top of your budget range, but the value here is outstanding.

I listen to similar music as yourself and I am very, very excited about the Pontus. Just make sure your Node can do USB out to the Pontus, I can't remember if it does.

Be ready for a significant increase in sound quality, it really makes a huge difference.

agentwja
30 posts
 

I have a mostly vintage system with a pair of BOZAK Urban speakers and Meitner monoblock speakers and a MFA Magus tube preamplifier. What really made my system “complete” ( hah funny right) for me was when a couple  of years ago I purchased a Merason Frerot DAC with the separate power supply; used for $1,800. and used that to bypass my BLUESOUND Node2i’s DAC. The Merason is fantastic. I then added two REL Subwoofers both used and  can’t imagine anything else I want or need. 

More to discover