How bout the Warwick stuff? I think m0n thought it was good for an aio. That’d be a pretty simple setup as long as you’re fine with the caveats
2 Likes
Very good call. Bruvura and aperio were both awesome.
1 Like
Anyone familiar with Esoteric digital front ends, like streamers/DACs? Never realized they were a subsidiary of TEAC, but one of their N-05 network streamers popped up on TMR, so it got me curious.
3 Likes
The n05 is a streaming dac. Iirc it only has a single coax digital out.
1 Like
Yeah, it does, but that would still work with my Berk Ref since that’s what I use anyway. I’ve read up on it a little. Doesn’t support Roon, so perhaps less interesting, but apparently the DAC in it is quite nice.
Mind linking any reviews youve got? Ive been trying to look into the n05 and n05xd (the current model that has a completely different inhouse dac) and honestly comming up with nothing much.
You’ll need to look at the big boy hifi mags, like Stereophile and Absolute Sound.
Absolute Sound review of the n05 here Esoteric N-05 Network Audio Player - The Absolute Sound.
The knock on Esoteric, was that they would release updated models with incredible frequency, and it was seen by a lot of people as a money grab.
They are now owned by Teac, which is a part of Gibson I believe, and there was some hope that would change, whether it has IDK, it isn’t a brand I follow closely.
If your not in the middle of the country it ought to be a brand you can listen to, they have pretty solid US distribution.
4 Likes
Ok, so I’m strongly considering downsizing. Even as I was buying my last component, my time spent listening was declining. Has done for more than a year and now I can go a week or more without even getting a listen. So I’m scaling back to a more appropriate level of gear.
I currently have a V550 that I got new for a good deal. My purpose for posting here is to ask about DAC options.
Budget is 1.5k to 2.5k to pair with a V550.
Currently strongly considering a Yiggy, or a Amber 3. Other thoughts are Spring 3 L2, and even a Solaris Quantum.
Thoughts?
6 Likes
Have you considered a high quality DAP?
You may get more use out of one. Lots of options as well.
3 Likes
If I remember correctly dac pairings with the violectric amps is recommended to go with a more neutral less warm tilted dac. Although this was V281, I’m not sure if that has changed with the new vio as i have not heard one. I know the Aqua La Voce S3 was a popular choice. I also once upon a time paired an amber 3 with a V281 and while it was just a little bit on the warmer side, it was overall a very good pairing with great dynamics and very natural sounding. If the v550 is tilted a little more neutral and detail oriented like I’ve heard then the lampi might actually be a even better match.
I think @Delta9K has/had a v550 and both the yiggy and spring 3, so maybe he can give some insight on those pairings.
If his main use is headphones I would suggest against this route, as most DAPs even the high end ones, won’t get close to a desktop setup at even half the cost while driving headphones. Now if you paired it with a proper DAC/AMP like a Cayin C9 for example then it could be a pretty good dual setup I guess.
4 Likes
This is far less true with the 550 than it wad with tbe 281 imo. I probabaly wouldnt go full p6p but some warmth is needed with 550 imo
1 Like
Im going to go the othet way here. Even ignoring that the c9 honestly just isnt fantastic given the price, the integrated amps in something like a lp6 or p6p are actualy astonishingly good for over ear cans that they can power.
That said, if desk top is the goal, dap → desktop amp is also a very legitimate option. While i didnt try it directly, i wouldnt be suprised if the sp2k wasnt all the far off of a 1500 dac (about what the dap goes for now that the 3k is out). The p6p is also obviously a great choice given the sq and used pricing, but it lags in functionality to use as a deaktop source due to poor usb implimentation.
A couple people i trust realy like the hm1k (quad chip) as a desktop dac as well, so that may be a legitimate option. Tbh, if i was scaling back like @Andy77 i would personaly pick up a used lp6 and just use it for everything. I assume it will take a hit in quality over usb, but even still, for 2k its a damn solid chain that does a bit of everything and will let you use some iems on the porch when desired as well
I would probably suggest against the portable idea unless you did want to switch to iems, I just don’t think it makes too much sense otherwise imo, you’d be better off with a proper standalone dac
I would say that with the 550 a warmer dac will help, it does pair pretty differently than old vio so you have more pairing options in general
3 Likes
ah so just as I thought then, the lampi might be a pretty good pairing with the V550
1 Like
Just to clarify my above statement, i am assuming a desire for some form of portable use. If you have none a dap makes a lot less sense in almost all cases (though tbh an lp6 is an intiguing AIO for 2k). The dap as a source makes most sense when you are tryong to consolidate gear for multiple use cases
Hello!
I really want to compliment my bf2 with another dac
LOOKING FOR A SIDEGRADE TO BIFROST 2, 80% of mt gear is SE
Budget: 1200usd
Afte a ton of research I think the chord qutest delivers exactly what a i want
I want more treble bite, slightly more resolving, less warmth with analytic presentation.
The other options i have in mind are exogal comet plus (rare and above budget), soekris 2514 (maybe a bit inferior to qtest) or holo cyan ( similar to bf2?)
I hope ypu can help me pick! Im almost combinced the qutest will sidegrade my bf2
Whatcha guys think? Are there better options?
I would save for yggy a2 but I have too mamy SE amps
3 Likes
A Mojo Mystique V2 SE would suit your request but I wouldn’t call it analytical, it does tick all of your other boxes though.
The RME is also a thought, but having heard the Exogal, it’s a next level DAC not a sidegrade to the BF2 and does tick all your boxes.
3 Likes
I also think it would honestly be too warm and more inline with the bf2 if you were looking for something different. I think qutest or 2541 are def good options. I wouldn’t consider a holo for what you want. If you could find something from resonessence labs in that price point used, that could be cool. I wonder if one of the older wyred 4 sound could be worth looking into. I would mention things like benchmark or mytek but personally I think those are too flat for my tastes.
If you could squeeze an exogal comet plus, that would be the go to out of any of these tbh (there’s actually a few on usam for 1200 usd)
Oh, ayre qb-9, might be worth looking into
5 Likes
Is anyone aware of the main differences between the soekris dac2541 and the qutest?
I have an idea id really like the qutest but I have no idea how de dac2541 sounds like, couldnt find solid info on that one.
2 Likes
