choose a dac

Never been a cheap op amp fancier, posted on January 21, 2022 at 12:02:59
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37650 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	Learned that lesson long ago. Couldn't be happier having replaced three of them in the garage DAC with Burson discrete FETs. I'll go for the PS Audio's transformers vs. using half a dozen OPA1688s that require boatloads of corrective feedback in the output stage.

RE: choose a dac, posted on January 21, 2022 at 12:19:42

jedrider
Audiophile

Posts: 15167
Location: No. California
Joined: December 26, 2003

The RME definitely.

But let me know where I can get the PerfectWave DirectStream for the same price :-)

I've been looking for my next DAC. Somehow, a PSAudio is more in the equation than is the RME. So far, all I know is that many people prefer the RME over the Topping D90, but that is too low a bar for me at this point as I'm looking for a keeper and not a flipper.

RE: choose a dac, posted on January 21, 2022 at 13:09:07
fstein Audiophile Posts: 2996 Location: fstein Joined: May 18, 2006	Ping Abe Collins?

As of last summer..., posted on January 21, 2022 at 14:53:43
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37650 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	His favorite was a PS Audio model.

RE: choose a dac, posted on January 21, 2022 at 16:36:27

AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46294
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
Since: February 2, 2002

Never owned a PS Audio PerfectWave DirectStream DAC so I can't say which way to go. There have been many versions of the PerfectWave DirectStream so I would have to do my homework first before buying a used one. The prices vary all over the map on used ones. Aside from the different build dates you have different firmware versions and some might include the network bridge cards while others don't.

I am very pleased with my RME ADI-2 DAC FS but I know myself too well to say it will be my forever DAC ;-)

I do know this. I prefer the RME over these that I have had in my system in 2021:

- Topping D90
- Denafrips Ares II
- Chord Qutest

Gustard is one that I'd love to try, maybe in 2022.

Still true today...., posted on January 21, 2022 at 16:39:09
AbeCollins Audiophile Posts: 46294 Location: USA Joined: June 22, 2001 Contributor Since: February 2, 2002	...but the PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC was discontinued a couple years ago. I had two Wyred4Sound DACs that were excellent too. I found W4S to be more robust and weighty perhaps making them a better match for a slightly lean sounding system.

Gustard X26 Pro? Nt, posted on January 21, 2022 at 21:19:12
raingerz Audiophile Posts: 547 Location: Long Island, NY Joined: July 20, 2013	Nt

RE: choose a dac, posted on January 22, 2022 at 22:34:59
KanedaK Audiophile Posts: 2519 Location: Brussels Joined: April 27, 2010	Gustard X26 Pro

Pegasus Musician ?, posted on January 23, 2022 at 07:59:34

jedrider
Audiophile

Posts: 15167
Location: No. California
Joined: December 26, 2003

I like the symmetrical front panels of the Denafrips and Musician, both of which seem to have similarities and are R2R.

The Gustard bothers me with it's unsymmetrical front panel and I really don't need preamplifier nor remote capabilities (at this time).

I'm still sitting atop the fence. I'd like something that throws a big soundstage.

The Pegasus DAC, a natural smoothie

? you are assuming I have heard both in same setting and compared?...., posted on January 23, 2022 at 10:14:39
Cleantimestream Audiophile Posts: 7551 Location: Kentucky Joined: June 30, 2005	I know nothing. ARC DAC2 fed by Schiit Eitr that reclocks the USB Otherwise, I would want a DCS. The Mind has No Firewall~ U.S. Army War College.

RE: choose a dac, posted on January 25, 2022 at 08:50:21

Bigby
Audiophile

Posts: 85
Location: Southern US
Joined: May 28, 2010

I have the DirectStream DAC with several modifications that are listed on the PS Audio DirectStream forum:

- Transformer modification (Edcore XS4400)
- FARAD Linear Power Supply (LPS) for analogue board
- 3M EMI shielding on chips.

The change was dramatic. It is now my go to source.

It was the first time I modified a piece of gear. A local custom electronics company installed the transformers. I took out the board and gave it to them. FARAD made the cord from their LPS to the socket on the analogue board. I bought 3M AB6005S and put it on the chips.

The forum had pictures and instructions. The most expensive part was the LPS. I think you can skip that and still get a big improvement.

Thanks for your story about the DirectStream DAC, but . . ., posted on January 25, 2022 at 09:17:55
Mel Audiophile Posts: 2993 Location: New York City Area Joined: February 21, 2001	. . . that's a lot of effort and money to put into a $6000 DAC to make it sound like the source you were looking for. I think of makes a joke of the commercial reviews (or perhaps, review commercials) some of which stated that, unmodified, it was the best they'd ever heard. It's not hard to see, just by looking inside the DAC, that it can use some help.

RE: choose a dac, posted on January 25, 2022 at 10:25:23
Ivan303 Audiophile Posts: 48887 Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM Joined: February 26, 2001	. First they came for the dumb-asses And I did not speak out Because I was not a dumb-ass

RE: choose a dac, posted on January 27, 2022 at 12:48:38
fstein Audiophile Posts: 2996 Location: fstein Joined: May 18, 2006	went with the Gustartd X-26 Pro. Coming next week. Living in the middle of nowhere during the plague have heard none of them.

Inmate Cut-Throat likes it....., posted on January 28, 2022 at 15:28:08
AbeCollins Audiophile Posts: 46294 Location: USA Joined: June 22, 2001 Contributor Since: February 2, 2002	He's had a number of good DACs and he really likes his Gustard X-26 Pro. He hangs out more in the Computer Asylum. Let us know what you think of the Gustard once you've had it for a while. Thanks!

Yes ........... I'm in the DAC O' the Year Club ........, posted on January 28, 2022 at 16:30:32
Cut-Throat Audiophile Posts: 18286 Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area Joined: September 2, 2000 Contributor Since: May 16, 2021	And so Far the Gustard X26 Pro is the winner..... Heads and Tails above every DAC I've Tried..... It's the Biggest one Physically I've ever tried also (Whatever that's worth).

More importantly, posted on January 28, 2022 at 16:50:06
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37650 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	it ditches op amps in favor of using discrete FETs. Just like both of my DACs. :)

Silly question for you.... but maybe not so silly really, posted on January 28, 2022 at 22:10:12
AbeCollins Audiophile Posts: 46294 Location: USA Joined: June 22, 2001 Contributor Since: February 2, 2002	You said about both of your DACs: "it ditches op amps in favor of using discrete FETs." Aren't those Burson modules that you like in fact Op-Amps? AFAIK, they are built with discrete FETs but the actual circuit is in fact an Op-Amp with similar characteristics as integrated circuit Op-Amps including extremely high negative feedback - cuz that's what Op-Amps do.

RE: Silly question for you.... but maybe not so silly really, posted on January 29, 2022 at 09:15:14

E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37650
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
Since: April 5, 2002

Aren't those Burson modules that you like in fact Op-Amps?

From a generic definition, yes.

I just avoid cheap chip based op amps for music playback. Their design requires boatloads of corrective feedback, substandard internal capacitors and cannot be matched for optimum results. Just wave solder another one off the reel!

In the HT, both the Emotiva processsor and Oppo player use op amps. I don't find their opaque quality as bothersome with movies and TV.

edit: Since you enjoy tweaking and new stuff, why not convert one of your chip op amp based units to discrete equivalents? Perhaps you're aware I did that with the Music Hall DAC several years ago. Admittedly, it was easy since the OPA2134/OPA2604 chips were socket mounted. The differences were not "huge" but noticeable. Hearing more musical subtlety for < $200 was an easy decision for me. :)

RE: choose a dac, posted on January 29, 2022 at 11:18:53
svisner Audiophile Posts: 1165 Joined: March 30, 2002	I would be careful about purchasing a used DAC. DACs have improved a lot, in my opinion and fairly inexpensive units today are better probably than expensive units from just a few years ago.

RE: choose a dac, posted on January 29, 2022 at 12:46:20
jedrider Audiophile Posts: 15167 Location: No. California Joined: December 26, 2003	Well, I've had drivers just stop working on Windows platforms (which I want to use as a music server), so I'm skeptical of really old USB DACs being viable in a computer environment. However, 'better' is a loaded term. Better in what way? In every way? I doubt it. On the first issue, a well supported DAC becomes a better choice than a knockoff DAC IMO.

RE: choose a dac, posted on February 5, 2022 at 00:52:31
91derlust Audiophile Posts: 1101 Joined: December 25, 2014	I'm not sure I follow. The Edcore is the upgrade(?) or what is being replaced? It's a pretty agricultural signal transformer. "Confusion of goals and perfection of means seems to characterise our age." Albert Einstein

RE: choose a dac, posted on February 5, 2022 at 08:51:06
dandaroy Audiophile Posts: 503 Location: Denver, CO Joined: June 24, 2003	Hope you bought it from Amazon. If you get a lemon like me, you will be a lot of trouble getting is resolved. ------- I. Dandaroy

RE: choose a dac, posted on February 5, 2022 at 11:34:26
Freo-1 Audiophile Posts: 1329 Location: Florida Joined: June 14, 2008	DAC's are a very personal choice. Abe (who's input I respect) loves the RME ADI-2. Myself, had the ADI-2, and replaced it with a Chord Hugo 2. Much happier with the Hugo-2. I was. When it comes to DAC/Digital performance, trust your own hearing with your system. Audition as many as you can until you find one to your liking. " Don't look back. Something may be gaining on you" Satchel Paige

RE: choose a dac, posted on February 5, 2022 at 11:58:46
dandaroy Audiophile Posts: 503 Location: Denver, CO Joined: June 24, 2003	I am not talking about the sound. I had problems with the unit even before hooking it up. My complaints are about QC and poor power switch quality. It is bound to fail in most units because it is a cheap spring loaded plastic crap. ------- I. Dandaroy

Ah. Sorry. , posted on February 5, 2022 at 19:17:23
Freo-1 Audiophile Posts: 1329 Location: Florida Joined: June 14, 2008	NT " Don't look back. Something may be gaining on you" Satchel Paige

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choose a dac

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