View Full Version : Which dac?
I'm thinking of adding a dac to my system. Mainly to connect to a squeeze box touch, but would make sense to get one with enough inputs for the cd and TV.
So far the ones on my shortlist are:
M2tech young dac
Metrum octave mk2 ideally but would go with a mk1
Jolida tube fx dac
And the bm2
I would be trying to pick one of these up second hand as new a couple of them are out of my league.
Living in Ireland there's not much choice to home demo before you buy.
All these dac's have had rave reviews. So who out there has listened to them?
These days, I'd say to go for the BM2. The internals in ANY DAC aren't expensive these days and if you're paying many hundreds or more for one, it's usually for facilities, an expensive case and the cachet of the manufacturer, coupled with suspect intellectual property, together with dealer profit. The Rega DAC's nice too (bear in mind the modest retailer margin here though), but common as muck around here, so lacking in desirability for many where rarity can count for something :)
I heard the Octavia awhile back really good DAC The BM2 is also really good but not compared it against the BM2 If it was my money I go for the BM2 unless you can try the Octavia on sale or return
If you don't mind a little DIY for the power supply, the Sabre DAC is well worth a listen. Similar in its almost analogue and very neutral sound to the Jolida DAC. I was very impressed when I had a recent audition of this. Details here:
http://hifimediy.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=87
The above is a nice DAC for the money lacks a bit of refinement but great starter DAC
Have the Young here, cant praise it highly enough.
In stock form it wiped the floor with the Rega dac, adding a linear PSU takes it to another level.
Done some mods to it since then, even better.
I'd say if your going down usb computer audio route, take a look at the Young.
The only thing that puts me off the bm2 is its lack of USB. Although I don't technically need a USB connection at the moment, I could see a music server build in the future. When a USB connection will be required. Also from what I've read the touch is at its best via the USB to a DAC with the Edo mod.
I have spotted a young for a very good price. But don't know if it may be a bit too clinical for my tastes. Having been brought up on vinyl and glowing bottles.
Simon,
the Young is anything but clinical imo, I use mine with a valve amp and it just makes music sound "live" in your room.
All the hifi stuff is there (to an extent I've not heard bettered), but its secondary to opening up the music right there in front of you.
Like any kit, system matching is important and I wouldn't put a stock Young in a very bright system.
Not saying its a bright sounding dac, its not, its just that the upper mid and top end is SO open and detailed.
Bass control is absolutely superb, if your speakers can resolve it the Young can play it.
My amp has glass bottles too and with a valve amp the Young is hairs on back of the neck good.
Even better with a linear supply.
If your handy with a soldering iron, there's a couple of simple mods you can do to it which opens the sound up even more.
I run a tweaked music server with usb out, my files upsampled to 32/384 in Jriver, all playing through the Young.
Even YouTube music played this way is great, its odd to pick up a room acoustic from Youtube, a great example is the BBC "Transatlantic Sessions"? (Thanks to Wee Tee Cee for turning me on these - its what AOS get togethers are meant for :))
Variable quality but through the server/Young its WAY better than any CD player I've owned.
Everything works together and makes some great music.
Short of a lottery win its the last Dac I'll own, cant see anything short of ££££ beating it, and then I reckon diminishing returns will kick in bigtime.
If USB is in your future I'd look no further tbh.
Not heard the Metrum, thats supposed to be good, but M2Tech seem to be the USB specialists.
Agree with the Touch Edo mod being the way to go if you are a squeezebox man.
Ran my previous system that way into my old Caiman USB, sounded great, the best I'd heard the Touch.
Spent some time with the Young at a bake off. It is a good DAC - but when fed via a Pioneer CDP via coax it sounded WAY better than the USB input of my laptop, according to Jerry and another chap.
I thought it was good in my system, but the soundstage lacked depth and it was somewhat artificially crisp. Well I thought so anyway.
System was refurbed Apogee Duetta Sigs fed by massive 211 monoblocks and an Air Tight passive pre.
I prefer the little Jolida. Order one from Paul at RFC, LOL!
Guess so but he didn't plug his own kit on this thread, he lent me one I didn't buy etc etc so I reckon he deserves it!:)
Must admit I think someone with basic soldering skills & some expensive foo components could take one of those little Jolida's up a notch or two, so there's food for thought there. Or get Paul to do it for you. They are fine as they stand, however.
icehockeyboy
12-10-2013, 22:57
I love my BM2.
Nothing more need be said.
Guess so but he didn't plug his own kit on this thread, he lent me one I didn't buy etc etc so I reckon he deserves it!:)
Must admit I think someone with basic soldering skills & some expensive foo components could take one of those little Jolida's up a notch or two, so there's food for thought there. Or get Paul to do it for you. They are fine as they stand, however.
I do like the look of the jolida especially since I think in the latest generation they have removed all the opamps from the output stage.
But wouldn't be looking to pay new prices so it would be unfair to demo one from Paul just to return it.
Richard Kimber
13-10-2013, 15:46
I'm using a Metrum Octave II while my Audiolab MDAC is away being upgraded.
I think it's pretty good, but I guess it depends on your taste in music and what you're looking for on the sound quality front.
Compared to the vanilla MDAC, and also the Pioneer N-50 (which I've also been listening to a lot), I would say that the MDAC has a slight edge in terms of width of soundstage, but the Metrum sounds a little less 'digital' and is very good at reproducing strings and vocals. It also has a 'cleaner' bass such that cellos and double basses are more clearly located.
It's very good with hi-res files; indeed with 24/192 I don't see why one should need any re-sampling, so the NOS option is pretty good. On the other hand, CDs (16/44.1) probably benefit from the re-sampling that conventional DACs do and you get a bit more clarity interms of the position of an instrument on the sound stage.
When my upgraded MDAC comes back, I'll be comparing the two, and maybe then selling one of them.
- Richard.
TobesEtc
15-10-2013, 22:55
Sorry to be a bit thick, but I've tried googling it and I can't find what a "bm2" actually is? Was trying to keep up with this thread...and failed!
The Grand Wazoo
16-10-2013, 00:13
Bushmaster Mk2 by Beresford.
TobesEtc
16-10-2013, 21:29
Thank you!
Have the Jolida and am very happy with it.
What I like is the fact one can 'tailor' the sound somewhat by tube rolling.
I've owned and heard several DAC's and the Jolida is by far the best.
icehockeyboy
22-10-2013, 11:14
Sorry to be a bit thick, but I've tried googling it and I can't find what a "bm2" actually is? Was trying to keep up with this thread...and failed!
If that was my fault by just putting BM2, if you had just looked at my signature and it mentions my Dac.......the Bushmaster 2. :)
Open Door
01-11-2013, 19:38
Long complex story very short, please order Jolida through myself.
Sovereign
03-11-2013, 17:19
Have the Jolida and am very happy with it.
What I like is the fact one can 'tailor' the sound somewhat by tube rolling.
I've owned and heard several DAC's and the Jolida is by far the best.
Alan I have had my eye on one of these for some time, what have you compared the Jolida DAC to?
337alant
08-11-2013, 09:26
+1 for the M2Tech Young Dac with Linear power supply
I just bought a nice Sabre dac and I thought this one will see off the Young but no, its close but the Young just has somthing speacial.
Very nice DAC and can be picked up second hand a good price.
Alan
brian2957
08-11-2013, 09:54
Yup the Young DAC is excellent but for outright VFM it has to be the Bushmaster 2 IMO.
blutonium92
11-11-2013, 11:46
Looking around at reviews the BM2 looks like the best for the money, will definitely be purchasing one if i see a 2nd hand one for sale at a good price.
I doubt you will see many BM2's going secondhand for a goodly while yet John although you can expect to see a few BM1's up for sale soon from members who have upgraded to a BM2 ;)
StanleyB
11-11-2013, 12:08
Looking around at reviews the BM2 looks like the best for the money, will definitely be purchasing one if i see a 2nd hand one for sale at a good price.
I got a few test units out there that a couple of helpful AoSers are using to do comparison tests etc for me. Once they get back to base I might get rid of them at a 2nd hand price.
Put in a bid via PM and as soon as I have one to part with I shall let you know if I can help out or not:).
I got a few test units out there that a couple of helpful AoSers are using to do comparison tests etc for me. Once they get back to base I might get rid of them at a 2nd hand price.
Put in a bid via PM and as soon as I have one to part with I shall let you know if I can help out or not:).
There you go John, you can't say fairer than that ;)
Light Capture
12-11-2013, 00:02
What do you think of these? They look mighty fine to me.
iFi Micro iDAC
http://www.ifi-audio.com/en/iDAC.html
Schiit Audio Bifrost dac
http://schiit.com/products/bifrost
337alant
12-11-2013, 05:21
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Valab-ES9018-Sabre-Asynchronous-32bit-192K-USB-DAC-XLR-Balanced-Output-/300987237209?pt=US_CD_Players_Recorders&hash=item46143cc359#ht_1158wt_1094
these are also and excellent DAC at a good price, I have one at home and it is very close to my young dac in SQ but ultimately not quite as good.
Alan
Ninanina
13-11-2013, 22:23
If you want a quality British designed and British manufactured Dac then I can't recommend the Rega Dac highly enough. They are also frequently available on the used market
Mine is a keeper :D:D
I got a few test units out there that a couple of helpful AoSers are using to do comparison tests etc for me. Once they get back to base I might get rid of them at a 2nd hand price.
Put in a bid via PM and as soon as I have one to part with I shall let you know if I can help out or not:).
the bm2 is on my list as well....heard brian's one and was impressed.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2026 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.