I'm pretty happy with my Audioquest Dragonfly Red with Jitterbug. A friend's Jolida GLASS FX TUBE DAC III sounds pretty good too.
Depending on timing and location, I'd be happy to bring it along for a comparison / bake-off for a computer-based audio session.
As an aside, for those playing with computer-based audio (CBA), it might be worth checking out a bit of software called Fidelizer (free version) which optimises some PC settings for CBA. In my experience it gives a darker background and improved imaging / soundstage.
Expensive Dacs. Are they worth it?
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- CN211276
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Re: Expensive Dacs. Are they worth it?
I think the Dragonflys are very good value. Used to use the old Black with my main hi-fi, before the Mojo. I now have the new Black for use with my phone. I have two Jitterbugs, one plugged into a vacant port on my desktop. They bring about a subtle improvement.
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Lindy cat 6 US ethernet cable
Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ
Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat
RIP Doc
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Lindy cat 6 US ethernet cable
Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ
Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat
RIP Doc
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Re: Expensive Dacs. Are they worth it?
I have very little experience of seperate DACs and their relevant merits and value. Until recently I was an owner of the latest Beresford Caiman SEG that as well as a DAC, I also used as a pre-amp into my A60 mkII.
At present I only have two sources, a Marantz CD player and a Squeezebox Touch. I found that there was little if any improvement / difference when using the DAC function. As a pre-amp it had a nice smooth control but went from quiet to too loud in a very short distance. Also, there must have been some compatibility issues because if I switched off the Beresford then there was a really loud buzzing coming out of the speakers, so it was switched on 24/7. As a headphone amp it was fine I guess, but to be honest I hadn't used my Grado's for months so this was a function that really didn't concern me.
Consequently I decided that I didn't need a seperate DAC, so sold the Beresford* and invested in a nice new P50sa instead. Well worth the investment.
* sold to someone on AoS who sold it on himself within 5 days of buying it from me
At present I only have two sources, a Marantz CD player and a Squeezebox Touch. I found that there was little if any improvement / difference when using the DAC function. As a pre-amp it had a nice smooth control but went from quiet to too loud in a very short distance. Also, there must have been some compatibility issues because if I switched off the Beresford then there was a really loud buzzing coming out of the speakers, so it was switched on 24/7. As a headphone amp it was fine I guess, but to be honest I hadn't used my Grado's for months so this was a function that really didn't concern me.
Consequently I decided that I didn't need a seperate DAC, so sold the Beresford* and invested in a nice new P50sa instead. Well worth the investment.
* sold to someone on AoS who sold it on himself within 5 days of buying it from me
- Fretless
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Re: Expensive Dacs. Are they worth it?
I also had buzzing problems when running NVA power amps directly from a DAC with variable output (Hegel). It would seem that a pre-amp in-between solves any earthing issues AND provides a safety ceiling for volume from the DAC, just in case a digital source glitches unexpectedly up to maximum volume.
Advantage with running a DAC with different digital sources is that the switching is done there and the interconnect can be run to the 'direct' input of an NVA pre-amp with the bonus of an incremental improvement in SQ.
Advantage with running a DAC with different digital sources is that the switching is done there and the interconnect can be run to the 'direct' input of an NVA pre-amp with the bonus of an incremental improvement in SQ.
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a {x2)
Little Bear MC2 + AQ NightHawk
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 & PSU - BMUAiyima A07 MAX + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450
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Re: Expensive Dacs. Are they worth it?
That's interesting. So you are saying that it is preferable to feed my SBT into one of the digital inputs on my SA8005 CD player, and then run that into the Direct input on my P50sa? I'll try that and see how I go.Fretless wrote: ↑Fri Sep 22, 2017 4:27 pm I also had buzzing problems when running NVA power amps directly from a DAC with variable output (Hegel). It would seem that a pre-amp in-between solves any earthing issues AND provides a safety ceiling for volume from the DAC, just in case a digital source glitches unexpectedly up to maximum volume.
Advantage with running a DAC with different digital sources is that the switching is done there and the interconnect can be run to the 'direct' input of an NVA pre-amp with the bonus of an incremental improvement in SQ.
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Re: Expensive Dacs. Are they worth it?
Interested to see what your findings are, Billy.
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a {x2)
Little Bear MC2 + AQ NightHawk
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 & PSU - BMUAiyima A07 MAX + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450