My next DAC; what will beat out an Oppo Modwright 205?

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mdp632

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I'm currently running an Oppo 205 with Modwright Mods (Stock Tubes) and enjoy the sound but, always on a quest for more or open to a possibility of improving. I'm thinking I want a solid state DAC and will use the Oppo as a transport only. I have a small but good sized CD/SACD collection but, going forward I'm looking at Roon/Tidal/MQA as my future for the majority of my audio listening.

To that end; what DACs should I consider that will handily beat the Oppo in terms of resolution? MQA to me is a must so; the Yggy isn't an option but, I'm curious about it. From the posts here everyone makes it seem that is it a DAC that punches well above it's price point. But, I'm really thinking I want to have an MQA certified DAC. So, I'm considering the following so far. Would prefer to be at or around 10K MSRP or below doesn't hurt either.

1.) MSB Discrete
2.) Berkeley Reference 2 MQA (would be a huge stretch given its MSRP)

I wasn't too fond of the PS Direcstream DAC (Frankly, thought it lost out to my 205 IMHO ). I'm curious about EMM Labs they haven't formally announced MQA support yet. Any solid state MQA stand alone (eg not a streamer) dacs worth considering?
 
You’ve picked the two I would recommend! When I get the Discrete DAC in the store, you’re more than welcome to come and compare it to the Berkeley.

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mdp632 said:
I'm currently running an Oppo 205 with Modwright Mods (Stock Tubes) and enjoy the sound but, always on a quest for more or open to a possibility of improving. I'm thinking I want a solid state DAC and will use the Oppo as a transport only. I have a small but good sized CD/SACD collection but, going forward I'm looking at Roon/Tidal/MQA as my future for the majority of my audio listening.

To that end; what DACs should I consider that will handily beat the Oppo in terms of resolution? MQA to me is a must so; the Yggy isn't an option but, I'm curious about it. From the posts here everyone makes it seem that is it a DAC that punches well above it's price point. But, I'm really thinking I want to have an MQA certified DAC. So, I'm considering the following so far. Would prefer to be at or around 10K MSRP or below doesn't hurt either.

1.) MSB Discrete
2.) Berkeley Reference 2 MQA (would be a huge stretch given its MSRP)

I wasn't too fond of the PS Direcstream DAC (Frankly, thought it lost out to my 205 IMHO ). I'm curious about EMM Labs they haven't formally announced MQA support yet. Any solid state MQA stand alone (eg not a streamer) dacs worth considering?
Click to expand...

Excited to hear MSBs new line as well, and get wanting MQA.

Curious on what you came up with comparing the 205 against the DirectStream and what firmware was installed on DirectStream?


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CGabriel said:
No one on the forums is talking about this DAC/PRE, but they may be soon.

Take a bit of time to read about the technology. It should certainly be the list to try.

Bel Canto ‘Black Series’ EX DAC
http://www.belcantodesign.com/home/black/ex-dac/
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I’m looking at seeing if upgrading my DAC this year is worth it - lots going on.


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UltraFast69 said:
Excited to hear MSBs new line as well, and get wanting MQA.

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Click to expand...

My guess is you will enjoy MQA when you start listening to it.

I still listen to DSD and vinyl as well, but for my music enjoyment it is an enrichment.


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mdp632 said:
I'm currently running an Oppo 205 with Modwright Mods (Stock Tubes) and enjoy the sound but, always on a quest for more or open to a possibility of improving. I'm thinking I want a solid state DAC and will use the Oppo as a transport only. I have a small but good sized CD/SACD collection but, going forward I'm looking at Roon/Tidal/MQA as my future for the majority of my audio listening.

To that end; what DACs should I consider that will handily beat the Oppo in terms of resolution? MQA to me is a must so; the Yggy isn't an option but, I'm curious about it. From the posts here everyone makes it seem that is it a DAC that punches well above it's price point. But, I'm really thinking I want to have an MQA certified DAC. So, I'm considering the following so far. Would prefer to be at or around 10K MSRP or below doesn't hurt either.

1.) MSB Discrete
2.) Berkeley Reference 2 MQA (would be a huge stretch given its MSRP)

I wasn't too fond of the PS Direcstream DAC (Frankly, thought it lost out to my 205 IMHO ). I'm curious about EMM Labs they haven't formally announced MQA support yet. Any solid state MQA stand alone (eg not a streamer) dacs worth considering?
Click to expand...

As a former Meitner owner my worry was that Ed will not embrace MQA any time soon, as he would have to get his design approved by the licensor. So I did not go for the v2 upgrade but sold it instead.

Another alternative is the Brinkmann Audio Nyquist, there’s a separate thread on that with technical details, subjective comparisons between different media, Roon setup on a NAS etc. in case you’re interested.

But IMHO the MSB and Berkeley are great choices as well.


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I think it's kind of amazing that reasonable Audiophiles are basing their purchase decisions on the whims of Bob Stuart and the "braintrust" at Tidal. And yes I have listened to it on two different respected MQA compatible devices that i own as well as the Auralic interpretation and don't find it up to anywhere near the level of the reviewer driven hype. One of the parties' company just got bought out and the other is on the verge of bankruptcy.
 
UltraFast69 said:
Excited to hear MSBs new line as well, and get wanting MQA.

Curious on what you came up with comparing the 205 against the DirectStream and what firmware was installed on DirectStream?


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Click to expand...

+1 on this. There is simply no comparison with mod wright modified 205 to a DS with Redcloud.

I can't recommend MQA enabled DAC since I am not interested in MQA but there are far far better DACs at lot less - Yggy is certainly one of them. Others I have listened in my systems is the W4S. The upcoming iFI iDSD Pro (with MQA) would be a killer as well at list price of $2500.
 
UltraFast69 said:
Excited to hear MSBs new line as well, and get wanting MQA.

Curious on what you came up with comparing the 205 against the DirectStream and what firmware was installed on DirectStream?


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Click to expand...

At the time I demoed the DS/Memory Player combo it was running Huron. I was playing physical CD/SACD via the transport and had numerous issues with dropouts(popping sound). I guess it had to do with the is2 handshaking? Nevertheless; it was enough for me to pass on the product. I work in IT for a living and didn't feel like restarting and or troubleshooting my audio system. Given it's price I didn't find that acceptable. In addition, there were a few other nagging issues (mostly software) that may and probably will be resolved in time but; just me personally it left a bad taste in my mouth.
 
Jack said:
I think it's kind of amazing that reasonable Audiophiles are basing their purchase decisions on the whims of Bob Stuart and the "braintrust" at Tidal. And yes I have listened to it on two different respected MQA compatible devices that i own as well as the Auralic interpretation and don't find it up to anywhere near the level of the reviewer driven hype. One of the parties' company just got bought out and the other is on the verge of bankruptcy.
Click to expand...

To each their own I guess. Let's not debate MQA but, trust our own ears. If you don't like it that's fine. However for me Its a feature I'm looking for.
 
I'm interested and curious to know why you haven't tried upgrading the stock tubes in your MW 205? Based on my experiences with the MW 105, you are getting at best 80% of it's potential with stock tubes. I just upgraded my MW 105 tubes to NOS Tung-Sol 6SN7s a few days ago and it's sounding the best it ever has. I know the MW 205 is even better and I would expect upgraded tubes would make a similar if not even bigger improvement. You do state that you are looking for a solid state DAC as an upgrade, so perhaps you are wanting to get out of tubes in your player and/or DAC?

I had the opportunity to demo and compare a friend's Yggdrasil DAC in my system for several days over New Year's weekend a few weeks ago and I will say it is a phenomenal unit. Extremely smooth, balanced, fast (PRAT), and incredible microdetail in comparison to my MW 105. I really loved it's natural sound, and I'm seriously considering buying one in the not too distant future. However, the MW 105 did hold it's own, especially in terms of tone, decay, and overall dynamics, and that was before I upgraded to the Tung-Sol 6SN7s. My only hesitation in buying the Yggy is that I have a very large SACD collection, and I would want any upgrade I perform to be able to upgrade the sound of those too. I am interested in trying Roon/MQA also since I already have a Tidal subscription. The 205 of course lets you utilize MQA and also works as a Roon endpoint as I'm sure you know and have tried, and I suspect it would sound great on the MW 205.
 
JJinID said:
I'm interested and curious to know why you haven't tried upgrading the stock tubes in your MW 205? Based on my experiences with the MW 105, you are getting at best 80% of it's potential with stock tubes. I just upgraded my MW 105 tubes to NOS Tung-Sol 6SN7s a few days ago and it's sounding the best it ever has. I know the MW 205 is even better and I would expect upgraded tubes would make a similar if not even bigger improvement. You do state that you are looking for a solid state DAC as an upgrade, so perhaps you are wanting to get out of tubes in your player and/or DAC?

I had the opportunity to demo and compare a friend's Yggdrasil DAC in my system for several days over New Year's weekend a few weeks ago and I will say it is a phenomenal unit. Extremely smooth, balanced, fast (PRAT), and incredible microdetail in comparison to my MW 105. I really loved it's natural sound, and I'm seriously considering buying one in the not too distant future. However, the MW 105 did hold it's own, especially in terms of tone, decay, and overall dynamics, and that was before I upgraded to the Tung-Sol 6SN7s. My only hesitation in buying the Yggy is that I have a very large SACD collection, and I would want any upgrade I perform to be able to upgrade the sound of those too. I am interested in trying Roon/MQA also since I already have a Tidal subscription. The 205 of course lets you utilize MQA and also works as a Roon endpoint as I'm sure you know and have tried, and I suspect it would sound great on the MW 205.
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All very good thing to consider. Yes , I do plan on tube rolling in the 205 before purchasing another dac.

as you know SACD playback can’t be done via an external dac with a spdif cable on an oppo to an external dac. I was going to Leave the 205 as a dedicAted disc spinner for disc media.

Im not sure about your 105 but the 205 will play back the DSD layer on an SACD. Another reason why I didn’t go for the ps audio combo.

The 205 is no slouch with the new Sabre chip set and the MW mod as you know with your 105 does take it up a notch.

I was just looking for more micro detail and a faster prat. Something that favors a solid state design. Thus my original post but , I’m VERY happy with my MW 205. It does it all a Roon, Mqa etc ..
 
Since you seem to like the MQA sound, have you considered the Ayre QX-5? It uses a very similar filter as Bob Stuart uses with MQA oversampling.
 
mdp632 said:
Im not sure about your 105 but the 205 will play back the DSD layer on an SACD. Another reason why I didn’t go for the ps audio combo.
Click to expand...

I have had the Oppo 83, 93, 103, and now 203. They all play DSD on an SACD disk. None, as you say, will output the DSD as a digital stream.
 
You may call me crazy, but I still think the Bryston BDA3 is the one of the best and most feature rich DACs on the market. At 3500 it’s a steal. I wish I still had mine.


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When I had my MW 105D, upgrading power cords and tubes made a very big difference. I wasn't impressed with the stock machine.
 
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