Time to update the digital side

I recently added a PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamp to my vinyl chain. It made a profound improvement to my listening to records. It got me thinking that it might be time to attempt a similar change on the digital side. I currently enjoy a Benchmark DAC1 USB that I added 13 years ago. It works and fine and sounds pretty great. I can’t shake the feeling that I could do better with a newer design. Mine was manufactured in 2007 and, as we all know, improvements come relatively quickly in the digital world.
I am struggling with this decision. I decided early on that I would eliminate Chinese made DACs. The financial resources I feel comfortable committing to this is not unlimited. I want this purchase be a endgame kind of product. I don’t have any kind of investment in SADC but this could conceivably change. The goal is to bring my digital sources (CDs, streaming Qobuz) up to a comparable level I enjoy with records. Specifically, the goal is to reduce digital glare and improve soundstage.
I have been looking at the new PS Audio directstream MK II DAC just introduced. Word of mouth is very interesting. I like the idea of updating the firmware to keep it current. Having the ability to change sonic flavors appeals to me. This option is pricey, however, and exists as a option on the extreme outer reaches of my budget.
On the other hand, I could stay in the Benchmark family and opt for their DAC 3. I’m just struggling with convincing myself that the upside is worth the trouble. Benchmark themselves state that the sound is very similar to my DAC 1. They do list a number of improvements on their website but the basic sound remains similar. I do appreciate their goals of neutrality and transparency and this is very much traits I am looking to keep. Also, the price is right.
I just keep going back and forth with this decision. Maybe I should consider something like the Schiit Yggdrasil, or something like that. I’m sure there are other choices out there as well. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

March 11, 2023 - 7:28pm

SocProf

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Joined: Mar 7 2023 - 9:13pm

The recent Marantz SACD

The recent Marantz SACD players (10, Ruby, 30) use technology that is similar to that used by PS Audio in that they convert everything to DSD 256. I have a few SACDs but mostly use my Marantz SACD 30n as a DAC for playing downloads. (Dell laptop running Audirvana Origen). The 30 currently sells for $3000 US new, with refurbished models selling for $2000. I absolutely love the sound, especially for hi res.

March 25, 2023 - 10:16am

geoffkait

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Joined: Apr 29 2008 - 5:10am

The more things change the

The more things change the more they stay the same. With all the supposed changes, like automobile manufacturers, they have to claim something. There remain some serious problems for CD playback, all of which are related to the brief period of time, nanoseconds, the CD laser reads the data on the nanoscale spiral of pits and lands.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking, but I thought Reed Solomon error detection/correction codes and laser servo feedback system fixed all that.

Susceptibility to vibration, especially external vibration.
Susceptibility to deleterious effects of scattered laser light inside the CD transport.
Susceptibility to CD fluttering and wobbling while spinning.

March 26, 2023 - 7:35am

liquidsun

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Joined: Dec 20 2016 - 2:02pm

I would recommend the TEAC UD

I would recommend the TEAC UD-701N DAC/Stramer/Headpohne amp. Like PS audio and other DACs mentioned here in this thread it does not use off the shelf chips like ess/akm instead TEAC uses custom developed delta sigma DAC with their own FPGA. FYI Teac is the parent company of the ultra high end manufacturer Esoteric and truth to be told the Esoteric N05-XD uses completely the same DAC and preamp module of the TEAC UD-701N. Go and have a listen, you wont be disappointed

April 15, 2023 - 9:08am

mtymous1

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Joined: Dec 15 2015 - 5:47pm

Consider your use cases

rkindel wrote:

...I want this purchase be a endgame kind of product. I don’t have any kind of investment in SADC but this could conceivably change. The goal is to bring my digital sources (CDs, streaming Qobuz) up to a comparable level I enjoy with records. Specifically, the goal is to reduce digital glare and improve soundstage.

...I just keep going back and forth with this decision. Maybe I should consider something like the Schiit Yggdrasil, or something like that. I’m sure there are other choices out there as well. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

If it were only that easy to pick an endgame digital component, but alas...

As with most that don't have unlimited resources and budget, I recommend you think more about your present use cases, THEN investigate the additional requirements (and associated costs, of course) for future use. I say this because you mentioned CDs and Qobuz, but then have the SACD-teaser which would require a DSD-capable DAC. For what it's worth, Schiit wants nothing to do with DSD. (Interesting that a $2,300+ Yggy doesn't support DSD.)

I would first seriously consider HOW you'd be listening, to help whittle down at least a few options -- even if you just consider your sources, it would help narrow things down. It's unlikely all of your favorite artists have their entire discography available on SACD or DSD files. Even if it was available, would you be willing to (re)purchase content in a different format?

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