Presumably DAC's have got better over the last 8 years?

[Rob Muggleton]

Oh, no, not another DAC thread!
After the massive thread started by Grant, I hesitate to tap into the collective expertise/experience, but my request for help is quite specific.
I listen to about 50/50 digital music and vinyl.
The digital is either through a Marantz CD17 MkII KI Signature CD player or off a laptop, running flac files through JRiver’s library system, which they say will deliver a direct data stream via WASAPI from the C:drive to an external DAC without any Windows or any other processing. Currently the DAC is an 8 year old HRT Music Streamer II+, well reviewed in its day. My preference is the Marantz, a very smooth “analogue” sounding piece of retro heaven. The HRT is quite “exciting”, but it verges on the harsh.
Preamp is either a Croft Vitale SC or a Tisbury passive, amps are Firebottle Mono’s, driving Monitor Audio Studio 20SE loudspeakers.
I assume there have been any number of DAC improvements over the last 8 years. But, in these desperate times, my budget is tight. I have considered Topping E30, SMSL Sanskrit, Schiit Modi 3 and iFi Zen. I don’t need a headphone amp, just a DAC, via USB. I might be able to stretch to an SMSL M300 II or a Topping D50.
From the above, you can see my heart is closest to valves/analogue and a smoother sound.
Any thoughts much appreciated.
Thanks.
Rob

[Firebottle]

Hi Rob, hope you are keeping well.

I have a D50 that is going spare, out on loan atm. You would be welcome to try it.

Cheers :cool:

[Lawrence001]

What's the maximum resolution of your files? I ask as I've been using an MF vDac recently and it sounds really good and as you describe. But I think the USB is limited to 16/48.

You can always downsample higher res files as you don't seem to like a hyper detailed sound anyway. Audio note reckon red book is good enough already and they know a thing or two!

Sent from my HRY-LX1 using Tapatalk

[Rob Muggleton]

Hi Alan
Sending email.
Cheers
Rob

[Rob Muggleton]

Hi Lawrence
The maximum resolution is 24/96. The HRT shows a 96K signal coming into it.
Cheers Rob

[Rob Muggleton]

Hi again Alan
I've only got your orange.fr email address. Could you let me have your current one? Mine is still the same Gmail one.

[Rob Muggleton]

Thanks, Lawrence. I like MF kit - I use their X-Can as a headphone amp - it's a nice sound, using a single valve. JRiver gives the option to downscale, so that might be an interesting option.
Cheers
Rob

[Macca]

What's the maximum resolution of your files? I ask as I've been using an MF vDac recently and it sounds really good and as you describe. But I think the USB is limited to 16/48.

You can always downsample higher res files as you don't seem to like a hyper detailed sound anyway. Audio note reckon red book is good enough already and they know a thing or two!

Sent from my HRY-LX1 using Tapatalk

There's no 'extra detail' in 'high res' anyway.

[struth]

but maybe some extra something?:eyebrows:

[Macca]

but maybe some extra something?:eyebrows:

For recordings made in 24/192 you get a whole load of frequencies way beyond our hearing. For analogue recordings 16/44.1 is already overkill.

When put to the test, no-one can hear a difference http://www.realhd-audio.com/?p=7001

[Lawrence001]

Hi Lawrence
The maximum resolution is 24/96. The HRT shows a 96K signal coming into it.
Cheers RobThat's good I thought I'd read a review that said if you want hi Res you've got to add the vLink. It gets noticeably better with a LPSU although the Ifi 12v might work too (I've not checked the ampage).

Sent from my HRY-LX1 using Tapatalk

[webby60]

Shameless plug.
https://pinkfishmedia.net/forum/threads/rega-dac-r.244057/

[Rob Muggleton]

PM sent