The last piece to my puzzle - A NEW DAC - suggestions ?

[kierankojima]

Heya everyone,

I Joined many many years ago, but have only just got into HiFi. So this is my FIRST real post

I am seeking a Chord 2qute or a Soekris DAC just to get me going but I’m open to suggestions from help from you guys !

Gear: Laptop > NEED A DAC > Exposure 3510 Integrated > Belden cables and high AWG copper cables > Dali Menuet SE mounted on B&W FS700 stands.

Best Wishes

K

[walpurgis]

Hi Kieran, if you seek specific items as shown, you may also find a 'wanted' listing for such in our Private Exhibitions section useful.

[Lawrence001]

How have you landed on these 2 options as I think they are quite different in design (FPGA Vs R2R). I'm not sure if the Soekris is also NOS.

[Stryder5]

They have a very different presentation, have you heard both? I recommend you do.

I’ve had both, the Soekris is still here.

There’s a Soekris 1421 and Linear Power Supply on eBay at the moment for £800, IMHO it’s a bargain.

Again listen to both if you can.

Gary

[kierankojima]

Heya Lawrence

I’ve changed the listing title - I wanted just something to get in the ladder but I’m
Open to suggests

The following also seems appealing !

MHDT Labs
Audio note
Audio mirror tubador

[kierankojima]

Heya Gary

I thought the Soekris was only £800 new ? I don’t have space for the power supply so would need the the smaller version

[Bencat]

Can I just put forward that a Laptop is not the best quality source for digital files and even a Raspberry Pi set up as a Server / Digital transport would be very much better. My suggestion would then be to try some quite modest DAC's just to get you going and see what sound you get and how you enjoy or were it frustrates you . Once you know this then you can ask the more specific question of which DAC will offer me these upgrades from my current set up .

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115489482596?hash=item1ae3b5a764:g:M3wAAOSwI2pi8iv ~&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoOO7r0IFe%2FZxWvOGya0OROm6bs5 h5zY1%2ByA%2F4HjmEmNHu1HhurUnde3HrRf07bhTQMZK4%2Bg 6angu5OtEYdsIim0e6%2F30skWCT8ER%2BaYeZd0t5CJApzFsq 25HbhcAjrK5QRIpMDmk%2FzY2qpIn4tNxIWIqp%2BZhqh5Fz0x 8WoSXJdQS43nt4ri2Sd1EbmtXffr8fx1lA3i9iOibKEU3ZK29H pg%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-ypzu3UYA

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165629135359?hash=item26904409ff%3Ag%3AFIoAAOSwvHd i-rn0&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAkKTvIJiO6HfRyh57ZH74bCyQUuECg UTN1jNMt7f8XQx7dW8HTfC51HHIcKUqhByXZBY2gK2ErjcUiRW 8lzOJG1lqAEHbLxj82npXvWRWo9xZy%2FMUcBmQB2Bv36XCayA pWo4SKaYcb%2F12GsHANtx4mJaWrgh5zMcgaay163mbScVpm5a GqIIQP6ipR80s434EgA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9ao2-3UYA&LH_ItemCondition=3000

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265826884146?hash=item3de4845a32%3Ag%3AVY8AAOSwjZp i9jml&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAkOrBi8S9G6d6Hv%2F%2FgsBo3VeUh GgNh%2BYfSEa56AvstpKz6%2Bm%2FujFRA54L1Dsh5uk4Asajg gfscSKj4kcAqHud6Oxa6sb7UehPBEuwffD01gUTakF2SqGqYWL ZDinMC6xDhxoJ%2BcD29Y2lIrY2H%2BDSiG4Btj1QXCJNt9Dxe sh50LGWJrAfxG0lTTiVs6ypROePTg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9 qo2-3UYA&LH_ItemCondition=3000

All of the above could be used with a Raspberry Pi with a digihat and the Musical Fidelity can be used with just a straight Pi using USB out . I would say that the MF option produces a really high quality source when coupled with a Pi 4 and they are quite small so would not take much room .

[Pepperamip]

I agree with the rpi / dac hat route as the best VFM DACs out there. I've got an allo boss / rpi4 and don't see any reason to change it any time soon. These can be bought with a lego type outer case and then it's just a matter of loading an SD card with your software of choice. Volumio / Moode etc..

[StanleyB]

Can I just put forward that a Laptop is not the best quality source for digital files and even a Raspberry Pi set up as a Server / Digital transport would be very much better.
I have to disagree about the laptop. They are not all equal but I am quite happy with a couple that I have tried.

[MisterMoseley]

I have limited experience in these matters (higher end DACS), but I hope that doesn’t preclude me from supporting the above suggestions regarding the Rpi4.
I’ve now set up four of these and still own 2.
My main system has a Pi4 with an ALLO Digione Signature HAT, outputting to a Rega DAC-R. Previously, I’ve run this Pi with; Dragonfly Black, Dragonfly Red, Allo Boss DAC (Pi HAT), Schiit Modi 3 and a Schiit Modius. The DAC outputs to a Rega Brio.
My second Pi has an amp HAT (on board DAC) and outputs 35 watts.
To me, these are low risk options as there is little chance of me losing (much) money as and when I decide to move them on.

[Bencat]

The few what I would term higher end DAC's I have heard give me a view that up to now there is not too much between them they really seem to offer a change in presentation and this then becomes very personal as to what you want to hear . I recently owned and sold a Denafrips Pro8 Mk1 and this had a very good level of sound that I enjoyed . However it has been very much beaten by a dCS Elgar/Purcel pairing which I have now and this offers a more natural and musical presentation to my ears . Mine are of course used items but they were still very expensive . If you can find used dCS then I would suggest get a listen they are built incredibly well and the service and back up from the company is excellent .