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Dac, dac, dac...

McFool said:
My media comes from my server via a streamer by ethernet in various formats, AAC/MP3/FLAC, from 16bit/44.1 to 24bit/192.

Current streamer output is AES/EBU but I have the option of coax or optical SPDIF's as well.

I take it, poppachubby, that you have an Audio-gd unit. Which one?
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Nah, I have a modded Valab NOS by Teradak. Audio GD is the best bang for the buck, I have sat in front of three different models. It's tough when you visit forums - to guage what's up and down. Once you have picked a few options, you will need to stop visiting and audition. The only way to make a proper decision is to block out the white noise of the internet. Your ears will guide you from there.
 
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The NAD M51 makes an excellent preamp as well, if you need that. One of the better pres I've heard actually, regardless of price, if strictly using digital (no analog inputs). I absolutely LOVE the M51. Not an ounce of regret from my purchase of it.
 
Unfortunately, due to the narrow minds within the local audio shops here, I won't be able to audition any of the units in my home with my gear. I am, however, welcome to purchase what I would like to hear and take it home with a 14 day money back guarantee. This includes a store that I have been doing business with since 1984.

I'm just a bit ticked off at my local stores right now. So, to heck with them. I'll take my best shot at selecting one, I'll purchase it off the internet from an authorized dealer and I'll deal with it from there.
 
Hi Mcfool, just to let you know I finally ended with a Grant Fidelity TubeDac-11. I've also already upgraded the stock tube for a Genalex Gold Lion 6922. Still in the burn in progress but an absolutely fine device. !!
 
Thanks for the input, komoyuki!

What was the deciding factor for you? Tube based? Prior experience? Recommendations?
 
Are you handy at all? There's always the option of building your own. This allows you to choose the USB/SPDIF chip, DAC chip, and opamps of your choice, to tailor the sound the way you want it. If the AD8066 opamp is too analytical, swap in a OPA2132, etc., etc.

I built mine with a CM6631A asynchronous USB/SPDIF chip, a WM8740 DAC chip and tried various BB (TI) and AD opamps till I found the one that brought the imaging and tone that worked best with my system.

The whole thing, including a nice aluminum enclosure and multiple opamps, set me back a bit over $100. It sounds fantastic.
 
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If it has pistons, camshafts, gears and wheels; I'm pretty handy.

If it has circuit boards, chips, solder or such...I'm not so handy.

but thanks for the input, cogitech!
 
McFool said:
Thanks for the input, komoyuki!

What was the deciding factor for you? Tube based? Prior experience? Recommendations?
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Exelent review over the net. Price. Headphone amp. Pre amp. Tube rolling option to fit your music taste. Price again and most of all customer service witch GF has been great toward me for the past years !
 
This one offers unmatched value and flexibility, and by all accounts sounds incredible, if that's what you are after.

http://www.qnktc.com/ab_12.php

For the record, I am one who has heard many DACs ranging in price from $80 to $1500 and I have learned that it is the internal components that make the difference and those internal components are not expensive. Also, what one person likes, another doesn't. I chose to build my own, as stated earlier, and I would not try to talk anyone out of buying the DAC that sounds best to them, but I would encourage them to try the lower-priced ones first. Why pay more when there is a very good chance you will be happy with something much more affordable?
 
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McFool said:
Very good point, cogitech. Thanks!
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My pleasure.

Note that in the Norwegian magazine review the reviewer states (paraphrasing) "the OpenSource DAC does not reveal as much detail and 3D imaging as the reference DAC, but the fact that the two DACs are being seriously compared says a lot for the OpenSource DAC."

His reference DAC is worth over $8000USD. :D
 
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Oh, one other option; rip your current DAC apart and see if there is/are opamp(s) (some DACs don't have them) and if so is/are the opamp(s) is replaceable? (ei. are they in sockets?)

Opamps can make a huge difference!

Example: My WM8740 DAC board arrived with an OP275 opamp in it. Warm and "analog-sounding", but constrained on the top end and virtually no imaging and sound stage.

I've rolled through AD8599, OPA2132, OPA2107 and AD8066. Currently, the 8066 is the one that works best with my setup and for my tastes...

Be warned: Opamp rolling is like tube rolling. Can be addictive.
 
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I have been experimenting with the volume out from the DAC to the pre-pro and finally found the sweet spot!

Most manufacturers of DACs with pre-amps recommend that you set the volume to MAX on the DAC if you are using another component to control system volume. Seems reasonable but after talking with a friend who is in the high end audio business he suggested that I try tweaking the volume down. My only concern was that my current DAC has a lossy digital control and it was possible I'd lose some "definition" in the music.

I started at MAX (80 on the display) and moved down in increments of 5. Minimum increments up and down are 0.5 on the dial.

I used some 24 bit /192 kHz FLAC reference material and listened for quite a bit of time at each level (80, 75, 70, 65) and at the point I hit 65 I could tell I was missing some of the music. So up I went in increments of 1, listening and listening and listening until I ended up a 73 where it started to sound a bit harsh again. So down I went, in 0.5 increments until I hit 71.5 where it now sits and sounds great!

So if you are using a DAC with a pre-amp that can control volume in it, try this little experiment from max volume down, then back up again to find your sweet spot!
 
McFool said:
I have been experimenting with the volume out from the DAC to the pre-pro and finally found the sweet spot!

Most manufacturers of DACs with pre-amps recommend that you set the volume to MAX on the DAC if you are using another component to control system volume. Seems reasonable but after talking with a friend who is in the high end audio business he suggested that I try tweaking the volume down. My only concern was that my current DAC has a lossy digital control and it was possible I'd lose some "definition" in the music.

I started at MAX (80 on the display) and moved down in increments of 5. Minimum increments up and down are 0.5 on the dial.

I used some 24 bit /192 kHz FLAC reference material and listened for quite a bit of time at each level (80, 75, 70, 65) and at the point I hit 65 I could tell I was missing some of the music. So up I went in increments of 1, listening and listening and listening until I ended up a 73 where it started to sound a bit harsh again. So down I went, in 0.5 increments until I hit 71.5 where it now sits and sounds great!

So if you are using a DAC with a pre-amp that can control volume in it, try this little experiment from max volume down, then back up again to find your sweet spot!
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That is hardcore, man! Well done :)
 
Thanx, man. Thought it was worth a try vs. just selling the one I have and finding another one!
 
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