I have almost this exact situation with my BF2 on my desk:
Pi2AES → BF2 via SPDIF
RPi4 → Singxer UIP-1 → BF2 via USB
both Pi2AES and UIP-1 running on SmallGreenComputer Linear Power Supplies
They sound remarkably close, but I do think the Pi2AES via SPDIF wins out slightly. But it’s so close, if you aren’t carefully listening on an A/B comparison I doubt it would be obvious.
But that’s a thoroughly mid-fi example. I would bet with higher performing DAC and DDC devices it would be a clearer winner one way or the other.
Depends I have preferences of Network vs USB vs AES on the Pacific, with a variety of combinations of streamer, and TBH I could live with any of them, differences aren’t night and day.
AES on the Chord Dave from the NS1 was night and day better, than the Pi2AES or USB into the Dave.
Anyone have any experience with esoteric dacs? I see a lot of love for them and was wondering if its worth it to hunt down a demo. There is a guy near by that has the totl one but the lower tier ones seem to be harder to find
Chord’s USB implementation is really lacking, in my experience.
Oddly TOSLINK has always worked best for me, but I haven’t used a DAVE yet.
It really is a case dependent situation, imo. Whichever has the least amount of jitter and noise is usually the winner. So many variables, but it’s also kind of fun trying out different inputs/methods.
With interest currently on the Border Patrol DAC($1500-2000), I read a comment that the far cheaper($150) ‘Lite DAC-AH’ sounds the same, using the same 8 Philips chips, but without USB. Also that D70s sounds “much better” than both of them, but not available anymore anywhere(AKM chip, I assume?). Audio-GD DACs were also mentioned for a smoother, more natural sound. Any comment/comparison on these, or similar DACs?
The thing that makes the Border Patrol sound like it does isn’t the Phillips chips, they and various now defunct AD converters are still used in a host of DACs at a massive range of prices. And shocker they don’t all sound the same.
While they talk about the Tube rectified choke filtered power supply (which aren’t usually used with SS devices), and that certainly will impact how the Border patrol DAC sounds, it’s going to mostly be that it has no output section, and pretty much couples the chip output through a single (expensive) capacitor. That means it has a very high output impedance, and you have to be careful with the amp you pair it with.
It’s certainly not a neutral sound. But some are a fan of the more colored sound.
I honestly don’t even know if your being serious with your questions at this point, The list of DAC’s your asking about is just all over the place.
DAC’s are more that their chipsets.
The Audio GD stuff has something of a following still on some sites, though it’s, fallen out of favor in a lot of places. It wouldn’t be something I’d look at based on some terrible sounding devices they’ve put out, but I haven’t heard any of the recent stuff so I can’t comment.
@CT007 If you want to play w/ inexpensive DAC’s to try different chipsets and even filters to experiment and learn throw a few dollars my way and I’ll send you 3 distinctly different pieces, all with a different chipset and you can learn and enjoy for many months to come. It’s a good way to understand what different things do well or not and how pieces can integrate together to make music go. I sent you a PM on a BP but I have a few more pieces i can include for just a few hundred dollars more. Heck, i’ll even throw one in for free and include a nice Pelican case you can store things in🤗
Ah, I did not know this! Thanks! What numbers/specs are we talking, here…? I’m looking on the site, not finding any numbers.
Yep, I’m pretty lost right now, with everything(DAC, amp, headphones), except the Stax system. Here I am preferring a $140 DAC and ~$35 amp over Gungnir+DDC+3XP.
Stop right there! Save yourself a lot of $.The hobby doesn’t have to be expensive if you’re okay not chasing the absolute best you can afford for everything.
I’m just trying to throw money into the machine, to make the sounds better, but it’s just not working yet lol :< I guess I should keep this cheap system around, to compare everything against. Then focus more on different headphones/IEMs.
I can only advise you to move away from Chinese Dacs.
Unfortunately, they like to go for the low cost principle instead of completing the whole implementation properly.
The disadvantages are often very peaked treble, somewhat washed out mids.
And often very cold in the tuning and emotionless.
Unfortunately, topping, smsl and the like are part of this.
Then it’s better to go for a Schiit that is much more solid.
Take a look at the Allo Revolution Dac, which is supposed to do a lot of things right and has been found to be quite good here in the community and recommended by some listeners in the forum. @Nickmimi Offer also sounds solid.
The Ifi Dac V2 Signature also does a lot right for the money and is also very advanced.
I would spend a minimum of $300/€ for a Dac that doesn’t have too many extreme disadvantages.
The Topping E30 is a small exception that still gets it right when the rest of the chain is right.
Edit:
Ah yes, @Souldriver still has a very good Dac on offer if the budget allows it.
It’s a very musical Dac.
You can also think about it if you live in the USA because of the power supply.
Thanks! I’m not very familiar with the Allo, Zen, or E30. (But did like D50s, and this Sanskrit 10th MK2)
Do you feel Schiit out-does these other 3, sound-wise? Or simply different flavors? I had a BF2 before this Gungnir, and a Modi MB before that. Really not sure if Schiit sound is helping or harming things…
puuhh,
if you’ve had the Gungir and the Bf 2, anything you’re aiming for is actually more of a step backwards in my opinion.
They are definitely competent dacs in that respect.
Quite warm and balanced and rich leaning I would guess.
If you’ve been in that direction before, unless you’re going for something specific, I’d stay there or go a step higher.
But everything below that, especially the topping stuff, is more clinical, colder and emotionless in my opinion.
As I said, a lot is saved there, be it only in the power supply or on the components themselves.
There is a lot of low cost principle in it.
Take a look at the Souldriver Dac he offers. https://forum.sonusapparatus.com/t/wts-ecp-walnut-x-3-dac/1093/9
With the Wolfson chip it will be a bit above the Bf 2, more lively in sound and more musical, more natural and also warm.
It’s also one of the best Wolfson implementations I’ve seen so far that you can get for the money.
Unless you live in the EU, it’s a good buy.
Souldriver can tell you more about it.
Otherwise, I’d think about a Soekris if that’s an option.
RME Adi 2 if you want it to be studio-like.
The Allo and Ifi Dac Signature would be 2 Dac’s in the low budget range that I would personally prefer if you want/need to keep the costs low.
They are solidly built.
What kind of budget would you want to set for the Dac? Maybe that would help you to decide on something without having to limit yourself too much, but still not having to sacrifice quality.
If Gungnir and BP aren’t helping the system, then I’m definitely going for whatever sounds best below those for now. Hopefully BP or Allo will make a positive difference. I may need a specialized DAC for the Stax system, later on, for sure.
What’s the difference between Allo and the iFi, sound-wise?
The Ifi will be rather smooth with the Burr Brown, neutrally tuned with a touch of warmth.
Here’s the link to the one I’m talking about:
Might be a bit too much for Stax because of their immense resolution and neutrality.
I would really go in the direction of warmer with natural resolution.
But of course that’s a matter of taste.
Regardless of the budget, I would suggest foilgendes for now.
See what they lack in the Stax and what would be desirable and then narrow it down according to budget.
If the Stax amplifier is tube-driven, you would also have the possibility to play with tubes in order to round off the whole thing.
The RME Adi Fs 2 is also supposed to be a good step up for Stax.
It is quite popular on the German side, and German Stax listeners also rave about it.
It wasn’t my personal taste, it sounded too neutered in the music for me.
Then as others have said, enjoy what you have and potentially explore gear at lower price points.
No one here can’t tell you what you hear or what you will like, only what they hear.
If you had a broader experience, and could articulate what you’ve liked, it becomes easier for others to recommend items.
I’m not usually a big proponent of side grading, I think people waste a lot of money that they could be using to move up the ladder. But that presupposes you know and can articulate what you like. Side grading can be a useful tool to get there.
Buying and selling used is a good way to experiment.
Local stores if you have them.
Local audiophiles willing to let you listen.
At this point I don’t think your going to get a lot out of just asking for opinions on every new DAC you hear about, you need to hear enough things so you can equate the language used to describe them with what you like or don’t like about a piece of equipment.
And as db_Cooper says, if you like what you have just enjoy it.
This is good advice. I had a lot of fun doing this, trying things out on the cheap to work out what was going on, what I liked. Never saw it as money wasted as I enjoyed it. Still miss my Zen Can even though I really don’t need it now.
When you’re competing in autocross, they always told me that seat time at events is more important than upgrading your car.
Time spent listening to various pieces of gear, especially chains other people have put together to their tastes is the most effective way to learn how to listen and more importantly come to understand why you like what you like.
What numbers/specs are we talking, here…? I’m looking on the site, not finding any numbers.