simple minimalist dac

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n4nottwo
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simple minimalist dac

Unread post by n4nottwo »

hi, looking for a super simple dac. something that will play well with my "new" nva a20/p20/epos es14 setup.

what are you using?

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Fretless
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Re: simple minimalist dac

Unread post by Fretless »

Topping DACs are super quality, very simple and extremely affordable.

The Denafrips Ares II is also astonishing for the price.

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro & AudioQuest

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slinger
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Re: simple minimalist dac

Unread post by slinger »

Can you give us a rough idea of how much you want to spend?

I agree with Fretless about Topping, and also SMSL if you can pick one up used. Schiit is another well-thought-of brand, and Stan Beresford's DACs are always good VFM.
Amps - NVA P50, AP30, A40, Stanislav Palo Tube Headphone Amp BB 85
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
Cables - NVA LS1+LS3, SSC, Gotham S/PDIF, IBRA Optical
Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
Analogue - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Phono
Cans - Grado SR80, ATH-M50X

n4nottwo
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Re: simple minimalist dac

Unread post by n4nottwo »

I actually already have a topping e30 which I can use with this setup, but what attracted me to the nva was richard dunn's philosophy (as evidenced by the interview on nvahifi website) re: all components are bad; and hence, my search for something quite minimal in terms of design. no fixed budget, but I guess something in keeping with the sort of money I've spent on the system; say £500 for the dac?

n4nottwo
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Re: simple minimalist dac

Unread post by n4nottwo »

fwiw, the fact that the topping e30 has a remote control and 6 filter settings makes me think that it's not as simple as it could be etc.

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CN211276
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Re: simple minimalist dac

Unread post by CN211276 »

I have a Topping E30 with the P20/A20 combo. It sounds best in DAC mode which means you can't use the remote. SQ improves significantly with a good PS. I am using a MCRU which was previously in the main system. The system is very unbalaned cost wise with other components which used to be in the main system, see my signature. All in all I have found the E30 to be a very capable DAC, benefitting significantly from good ancillary components, and I think you would need to spend a lot of money to better it.
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, Farnells cat 8 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

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n4nottwo
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Re: simple minimalist dac

Unread post by n4nottwo »

hmmm, wasn't aware of dac mode. will look into this, thanks.

yes, it's a great little dac and I certainly have no complaints. just caught up in the idea of something even more minimal; chasing rainbows.

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Re: simple minimalist dac

Unread post by Fretless »

Very minimal - have a look at the Teradak V4.5 Chameleon. It is a pure NOS DAC, which I find sound fantastic with NVA amps.

The Chameleon is a 2-box design with an external PSU

Image

There is an on/off switch on the power supply and a single toggle switch on the back of the DAC module to select Coax or Optical input. USB has priority override.

Cost should be under £400 via AliExpress
Sound is sublime.

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro & AudioQuest


n4nottwo
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Re: simple minimalist dac

Unread post by n4nottwo »

thanks all. some interesting suggestions. will take a looksie.

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