Looking at DACs

Bones13

Bones13

Active member
Joined
Oct 21, 2014
Messages
432
Location
Seattle, WA
Investigating a new DAC/Streamer. (I run a Modwright LS300 tubed Pre into Atma-Sphere Digital Monoblocks, with Boulder 508 for phono)

The Bricasti is pretty good, but a bit finicky, and getting long in the tooth. (It really does not enjoy the power flickers that are so common here.) I also enjoy a Holo Audio Spring (1) Kitsune DAC in a headphone setup at work.

Currently interested in

1) MSB Discrete + internal streamer module (R2R DAC)
2) Esoteric N-05XD (SigmaDelta DAC)
3) Mola Mola Tambaqui (custom programmed DA chip)

I am currently a Roon user (bought a lifetime right when they came out), but not totally against other options. I use a NUC with ROCK as a server.

Opinions, alternatives to consider. I do require an optical input, and/or HDMI. (squinting at you Aqua HiFi)

Sadly, I will be in Tampa next month, but at the Norman Center, for the wife. No time to run by and listen to the parts that Mike has.
 
If you haven't read it there is a several page thread here about the N05xd where other comments and comparisons are made against other brands. Folks are enthusiastic about it but the MSB is a good option as well.
 
EMM DA2 is the best I’ve had in my room. I’ve had several including esoteric grandioso. See if Amadeus will send you one to try out


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I really need to put the 812 back on my list, even if I now have a proper pre-amp.

Thanks
 
Phishphan said:
EMM DA2 is the best I’ve had in my room. I’ve had several including esoteric grandioso. See if Amadeus will send you one to try out


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Click to expand...

I really like that DAC. All the EMMLabs set-ups I've heard were excellent.
 
Bones13 said:
I really need to put the 812 back on my list, even if I now have a proper pre-amp.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I was at the Boulder factory a few weeks ago and they were using the 812 streamer/DAC as the source in the main sound room, connected to 3010 to 3050s and Focal Grande Utopia speakers. It was really good.
 
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