Worth getting a DAC?

Nanoman · 28 Aug 2009 at 22:34

Hi,

I don't have an uber system but I feel it doesn't quite sound as good as it should. I think my expectations may have been a little high before setting it up but I feel the clarity isn't that great. My old speakers were pretty bright and I'm actually missing that sort of lively sound.

My setup:

B&W 685's
Atacama Nexus 6i stands
Rotel RC-970MKII Pre-amp
Rotel RB-970MKII Power-amp
QED Silver Anniversary XT
Mark Grant interconnects
Asus Xonar D1.

My source is my computer using a Mark Grant 3.5mm stereo jack to dual phono. Is this an obvious limiting factor of the system or not? Do you think I'd notice substantial difference with a DAC?

Thanks a lot.

9designs2 · 29 Aug 2009 at 14:26

Yes.....

PC analogue out is pants, nothing wrong with the rest of your system.
Do you know anyone with a decent CD player or DAC ? ....if so borrow to prove how much better it could sound..... Then either add a DAC or media stream to your system if you want PC based audio.... Remember to rip loss-less, like FLAC as well.
There are lots of threads here about DAC's, some searching will give you lots of ideas and options.

Nanoman · 29 Aug 2009 at 17:01

Thanks mate.

Looking into it the Beresford DAC's appear to be the most recommended. Just hope they have stock of the Caimens soon.

marscay · 29 Aug 2009 at 20:16

The 685's are rather dark speakers, but the Caiman is pretty unforgiving in terms of detail so you will definitely get some of that 'zing' back if you get one.

It pulls a lot of detail but can be a little sharp for some systems so sounds like it should be a good match for you. Versus the Xonar you will be amazed with the detail and clarity.

billybob89 · 29 Aug 2009 at 22:00

As far as i know the Caiman was just a one off and he wont be doing it again.

marscay · 30 Aug 2009 at 14:12

billybob89 said:
As far as i know the Caiman was just a one off and he wont be doing it again.

I am pretty sure there is another batch already coming, Stan has said before if there was enough demand he would probably do another.

And if there isn't you can buy a 7520 and have someone (ebay) install the Wolfson DAC into it and throw in a couple of LM4562NA's yourself.

Nanoman · 30 Aug 2009 at 16:27

marscay said:
The 685's are rather dark speakers, but the Caiman is pretty unforgiving in terms of detail so you will definitely get some of that 'zing' back if you get one.

It pulls a lot of detail but can be a little sharp for some systems so sounds like it should be a good match for you. Versus the Xonar you will be amazed with the detail and clarity.

Thanks mate, yea I know what you mean about dark. Soundstage on them is much wider than my old speakers but they just seem a little dull tbh.

I think Stan is still/planning to produce the Caiman he quoted us £232.30 delivered for one when I emailed him. Is this likely to be the best DAC in this kind of price range?

Thanks guys.

marscay · 30 Aug 2009 at 19:04

If you scour around you can read of ppl selling their expensive and exotic DAC's to use a 7520 and the Caiman is quite a bit better than that for detail so that is good enough for me.

I'd like to try a Chord DAC64 and probably will in the next couple of months just for curiosities sake but even second hand that is five times the price of a Caiman and any improvements will probably be marginal.....so yeh for £200 it is a sweet DAC.