Higher end Topping starting from D90 like D90 III Discrete.
Laiv Micro Dac is pretty solid choice too.
Seeking DAC Advice for a Secondary Two Channel System
I have a secondary two channel audio system in my home office consisting of an NAD 326BEE integrated amp, Dynaudio Excite X14 speakers and a single REL T5x subwoofer. While I also have a Rega RP3 turntable and an NAD CD player, I mainly just use this as a digital system. I use Roon with an Innuos Mk.3 as my Roon Core and a Bluesound Node 2i as a streamer/endpoint. When streaming I use Tidal and Quobuz. Occasionally I stream with Spotify which I do directly from the Bluos app because of the lack of compatibility with Roon. Music preferences are rock, Americana, folk, soul/R&B and some electronic music.
I want to see if I can upgrade the sound and am operating under the assumption that the Node is my weakest link. It has been suggested to me that one option would be to buy an external DAC and bypass the DAC imbedded in the Node. Alternatively I could replace the Node altogether. I think my budget is around $500 but I don't know what I don't know. I would also hope whatever piece of equipment I buy is somewhat small in size. I don't have a lot of room on my rack to spare.
I would greatly appreciate any thoughts/suggestions this board might have on this quest.
Thanks in advance.
@puppyt
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- 17 posts total
Schiit, Gustard, Denafrips, Topping all make decent products close to your price range. Shop used, but don’t buy something that is too old. The Innuos is a good streamer, no need for an upgrade there. I think you could definitely get a decent sound upgrade from an external dac. I recommend spending a little bit on a decent usb cable, they do make a difference. |
"I don’t know what I don’t know." exactly, me too. Based on recommendations here, I bought a simple Topping DAC for streaming from my PC USB to DAC, it’s RCA out to my office system. now $110. Only DAC I have owned, sounds great to me. Certainly good enough for my office where I am streaming while otherwise occupied, real listening happens elsewhere. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F54TT79?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4 Amazon has free returns. I suggest you time your 30 day return period of one of these with any other more expensive DAC, so you can appreciate the difference (if any) between a ’basic dac’ and ’better’. I’m not saying it won’t sound better, rather that you will KNOW it. Or not. Good, Better, Best is one way of thinking. I tend to think ’Preferred’.
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@puppyt , is the Innuos in this system or your main system ? Can you take the DAC from your main system and try it in your secondary one ? This would give you an idea of what you have to gain. FWIT a long time ago I purchased the original A series Yiggy for $1200 used. About 2 years ago the original usb card gave up and I had Schiit install the Gen 5 USB. I’ve left that thing turned on for the last 10 years and it’s performed flawlessly. It would be well worth spending above your budget to get a used one. The only issue besides your budget is the Yiggy is pretty big. I’m running mine off an Innuos Pulse using a Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8, everything purchased used and it’s a keeper rig. Maybe think long term and reconsider your budget. I have zero experience with the Chinese DAC’s but others love them. Best Wishes , Mike B. |
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