What's Your Dac?

[Lawrence001]

I get the impression that most developments in the chips themselves are about extracting more resolution from the digital stream so I pay far more attention to power supplies, output stages etc. Having said that, there are various dac modules for the da capo and some apparently are not much cop so I'm not claiming the dac chip itself can be completely disregarded.

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[oldius]

I get the impression that most developments in the chips themselves are about extracting more resolution from the digital stream so I pay far more attention to power supplies, output stages etc. Having said that, there are various dac modules for the da capo and some apparently are not much cop so I'm not claiming the dac chip itself can be completely disregarded.

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My DAC from 95 is engineered in exactly the way you mention.

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[Opti-cal]

Currently (still) enjoying both my:


Musical Paradise MP-D1 mk2

and

Jolida Glass FX III


both tube output, WE 396a and Raytheon 5755 (reliability controlled) respectively.


Both have volume knobs which I find very useful for volume matching. My amps sound good at most volumes, but can sound exceptional in one "sweet spot" which can be way too loud with the DAC's in "fixed" (full volume) mode.

Both DAC's also have upgraded caps, Mundorf/Solen.

Best I've heard having been through maybe 15-20 others. Not the last word in detail but very analogue, enough so that I forget/don't notice its digital.

Would love to hear their latest versions with DSD capability etc but I'm saving for an MC and SUT . . . .

[joolz]

PS Audio Directstream for me (it's the third PS audio DAC i've had, previous one was a Cullen circuits modified that i preferred to an opus 21 set up) I A/B'd it when i went to audition and it was Night/Day better. As previously stated, free firmware update every year or so = an even better dac.
Transport is an old Denon 2910 DVD player with a clock thrown in it - it's as good as anything else i've tried (not tried any of the PS audio perfectwave / directstream though)

[antonio]

I've been using a Calyx 24/192 with a cheap Chinese LPS and it has always sounded good to me. Would be interested how it compares with the latest Chinese ones in the £1000 to £1500 range.

[Ninanina]

I'm using a Naim Dac

The Naim Dac is fed from a Naim CD5XS but to be honest I've never even tried the cd alone so cannot comment on it

I think Naim have now discontinued the 'full' Dac and only supplying the Dac V1 which is a different beast altogether

[Ammonite Audio]

I'm using a Naim Dac

The Naim Dac is fed from a Naim CD5XS but to be honest I've never even tried the cd alone so cannot comment on it

I think Naim have now discontinued the 'full' Dac and only supplying the Dac V1 which is a different beast altogether

I'm using a Naim DAC-V1 and when fed digits via a Mutec MC-3 +USB digital interface and re-clocker, its performance is really rather lovely, being colourful, dynamic, detailed and organic sounding as well as having a good dose of Naim timing prowess. Proper audiophile stuff! Without the Mutec, the Naim DAC-V1 is still good for the money, but not in audiophile territory.

[Ninanina]

I'm using a Naim DAC-V1 and when fed digits via a Mutec MC-3 +USB digital interface and re-clocker, its performance is really rather lovely, being colourful, dynamic, detailed and organic sounding as well as having a good dose of Naim timing prowess. Proper audiophile stuff! Without the Mutec, the Naim DAC-V1 is still good for the money, but not in audiophile territory.

Hi Hugo
I've not heard the V1 Dac but I'm sure it is very good indeed

I've only had experience of the 'full' Naim Dac which I love and wouldn't be without fed by the 5XS, I love it

[Magna Audio]

Interesting reading what everyone uses..

I use a WAF Najda (apparently pronounced Naashda).
It also does DSP, X/O and time alignment, feeding 4 or 5 channels (if you have the 5 the channel expansion board).
So it's really 4 or 5 DACs and an active preamp and feeds my 5 active amps / horn loaded drivers.

It has Burson Op Amps, Linear PSUs to both the 12-0-12v and 5v supplies it requires.

I feed it analogue via my Technics SP-10 or Stream Spotify via RPi and Allo Kali reclocker (which tidies up the RPi rubbish clocking) and feeds directly into Najda's I2S input.
I2S is the best way to get a digital signal in. The RPi and Kali also have linear PSUs.



Lid off (this is before linear PSUs and RPi / Kali)..



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[Jimbo]

Interesting reading what everyone uses..

I use a WAF Najda (apparently pronounced Naashda).
It also does DSP, X/O and time alignment, feeding 4 or 5 channels (if you have the 5 the channel expansion board).
So it's really 4 or 5 DACs and an active preamp and feeds my 5 active amps / horn loaded drivers.

It has Burson Op Amps, Linear PSUs to both the 12-0-12v and 5v supplies it requires.

I feed it analogue via my Technics SP-10 or Stream Spotify via RPi and Allo Kali reclocker (which tidies up the RPi rubbish clocking) and feeds directly into Najda's I2S input.
I2S is the best way to get a digital signal in. The RPi and Kali also have linear PSUs.



Lid off (this is before linear PSUs and RPi / Kali)..



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I2S