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I have been unsuccessfully searching for a list of high-performance* commercial DACs that allow user to bypass digital filtering (NOS), leaving that task to a software music player such as HQ Player. It would be interesting if we could compile such a list in this thread. * - no TDA1543-based DACs please, only equipment that can take 24bit and sampling rates above 176.4/192kHz.

exaSound e38 8-channel DAC in perfect condition. It includes all boxes, manuals, power supply, Apple remote and accessories. It has been used in a clean and controlled environment. Never abused. All functions perfectly and looks like it did when it left the factory. Amazing sound quality. It has the RCA analog outputs This device can also be directly plugged into an amplifier if your source is just digital as it has digital volume control. Stereophile A+ recommendation. https://exasound.com/Products/e38MarkII8-channelDAC.aspx The one that i am selling is the original that retailed at $3,849

It's subjective, but I think it's interesting to report and bring up this problem that I can't find a solution to, when listening to music I've been feeling some kind of ''electric shocks'' and sudden vibrations in my body, in my shoulders, hands, feet, inside my leg, varying in intensity and always unpredictably, becoming a bit painful, it happens that at certain moments everything is great and I'm enjoying the songs and the sound quality, when suddenly in a few minutes I feel these irritating discomforts that really compromise the musical experience to the point that I want to turn everything off, I've already done tests by listening closely on my desktop where the speakers are, but I've also tried listening further away sitting or even standing up and I feel the same, just to make sure that it's not literally shocks caused by proximity to cables or wires, or any interference, as this has been happening does I've known for a long time that it's not something in my head, in my ears I don't feel anything significantly harsh or shrill, just a little and I think it's even bearable because I use an entry-level setup and I'm sensitive to trebles and high-mids and I'm already trying to minimize this using speakers, amp and neutral cables and even DAC filters to give a roll-off in high frequencies, being more perceptually specific harsh sound I even feel slightly at the same time no fatigue, as my speakers compensate a lot for this fatigue problem, but Even so, the bad ''shocks'' and ''vibrations'' are present and in the audio itself I don't hear any distortion or apparent noise. Researching this on various forums I didn't find anyone talking about this specifically, really no, the most I've heard about that is related to this is the phenomenon of hearing fatigue and irritation, bright and sharp sound, a situation that is even common among many people. from the audio community and I personally have been through a lot, today I use a cambridge sx-50 and an SMSL A300, RCA cable Blue Jeans and a Topping E30 via optical cable in a Wiim-mini (both plugged on Allo Shanti LPS). Could I be the problem or a weak link in the setup, would something be wrong with this synergy? would it be resonating in my ear without me feeling it at the time and also in my body, any resonance or noise or distortion in the sound? I'm very confused.

View Classified iFi Audio nano iDSD Portable USB DAC and Headphone Amp Very compact portable USB DAC accepting PCM up to 384 kHz, and DSD up to DSD256. 10 hr battery autonomy. Very easy to setup. Excellent sound. Unit comes with a fully loaded battery, and has been extensively tested before putting it on sale. Input: USB type-B Output: RCA analog L&R, Headphone, digital (SPDIF) Consult URL https://ifi-audio.com/products/nano-idsd-le/ for more details. Note that the URL points to the nano iDSD LE, a "light" edition of the nano iDSD. The 2 models are identical, except that the LE edition comes without a digital output, and a Minimum/Standard switch. Seller André Gosselin Date 12/13/23 Price 100.00 USD Category Digital to Analog Converters  

View Classified iFi micro iDSD Black Label Portable USB DAC and Headphone Amplifier The iFI micro iDSD Black label is a portable USB DAC and headphone amp with an 8 hour battery autonomy. See URL http://ifi-audio.com/products/micro-idsd-bl for a full description. The unit is in an excellent state and comes with a fully loaded internal battery. It has been extensively tested before being put to sale. Unit accepts PCM up to 32bit/768kHz and DSD up to DSD512. Excellent sound. Includes: USB cable with female A-type connector (DAC side) and male A-type connector (computer output side). (Please note that the unit does not use a B-type USB input). Carrying bag. Instruction cards. Seller André Gosselin Date 12/13/23 Price 700.00 USD Category Digital to Analog Converters  

View Classified T+A DAC8 DSD Wonderful sounding DAC. I upgraded the firmware for the DAC and Amanero USB board so it now works flawlessly with Linux-based sources (native DSD512) over USB. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650023808-ta-dac8-dsd/ Only selling due to upgrade to a Holo May KTE DAC. Seller ericuco Date 09/22/23 Price 2,000.00 USD Category Digital to Analog Converters  

Why are there debates if "bits are bits"? Can you hear a difference in streaming audio software? Bits are Bits! Foobar2000 was lighter on its feet, more accurate tone/timbre, quieter, and had better timing of decays. There are a delicacy and precision about its sound. JRiver had a “fatter” sound with more bleeding edges and smeared textures. It sounded flatter (by a good margin) and more veiled in a thicker, unnatural warmth.

Help me design a new system? (Disclaimers: This is about a “desktop” system, by which I mean a system I listen to while sitting at my desk, usually staring at a computer screen. I understand the inherent limitations. Let's skip the question about whether or not this is “audiophile” if that bothers anyone!) My Challenge: This is an emergency. I've relocated offices and have spent last few weeks in an empty space, alone, with no music. It is lonely and depressing. Background: I unboxed remnants on a previous system and patched it together…. Desktop PC, USB Out > ELAC DDP-2 > Genelec 6010A (powered speakers) + Genelec 5040A Immediate Problems: The ELAC DDP-2 struggles to lock onto the USB signal. It worked on day, then didn't. I can’t get Bluetooth to pair and find no documentation about how to do it online. In a former system, I had persistent issues with it locking onto Roon and requiring a power cycle anytime I wanted to switch inputs. I am in contact with ELAC, but I really don’t think this unit is for me. (I’ll take this opportunity to say that my pair of ELAC Navis powered speakers are some of the favorites I’ve ever owned. I’ve also been very happy with a pair of Adante AS-61). My Genelec 6010A’s and 5040 are old and have a finnicky RCA jack. I've loved these little powered monitors in previous offices. Building a New System: The only thing that is lifting my spirits is the idea of building a new system! My new career is related/adjacent to the music business and I am in a position to benefit from a much more capable system. I want to optimize sound quality. Obviously. Sources: Desktop PC (12th Gen i9-12900K 3.19GHz w/ 64GB RAM running Windows 10 Pro). I have a huge, hires digital collection, but have honestly done much more streaming these past few years. New situation will enable me to re-discover my local collection and I am interested in learning how to make it sounds as good as possible. Endemic computer sounds (alerts, etc.) Audio from the web Streaming services (Tidal, Qobuz, iTunes) JRiver Turntable (Technics SL-1200 > Parasound JC 3 Jr.) It's fine. CD (Oppo BDP-105D) Speakers/Amp: Two mains will live on my desk; perhaps on short stands to elevate above my reflective desk surface. Sub beneath my desk. This is near-field listening at 36". I'd like to do another 2.1 system and lean toward active, but I am open to other options. Looking at Genelec 8030C(2) + 7050C (balanced inputs) Wilson Tunetots are another option that's been floated (if I went that route, I may pair them with my Luxman L-590AXmkII 30W class-A integrated.) Pre-Amp:TBD DAC:TBD Setup: I plan for all of this to live in a short, studio equipment rack that sits next to my desk. Room: I am finally in a situation where I can really treat my office correctly. There will be plenty of absorption and diffusion. Questions: Scenario: sitting at your desk, listening to source other than your PC (e.g. - CD or turntable), but I still what to hear computer System Sounds (e.g. - alerts, beeps, boops), web videos, Zoom calls? What is the best way to handle? I know the preamp can't mix 2 sources (e.g. - turntable + PC), so it depends in routing these computer sounds to a secondary speaker? Is there a way to avoid having to do that manually,...continuously? For instance, can I configure PC to always route all System Sounds and Zoom audio to a computer speaker connected directly to the PC audio-out,...but route all sounds from JRiver, TIDAL app, iTunes, etc to the outboard DAC via USB? A high-quality, "dumb" DAC? My hope is to find a great DAC, separate or integrated into a pre-amp, which requires zero attention. I do not want to think about the settingsor filters on an ongoing basis. What I really do not want to do is power cycle it and futz with the inputs everyday when I sit down at my computer. (Maybe they are all like that and my experience with the DDP-2 sort of soured me?) DAC/Pre & Other Recommendations? My dream is to walk in, power up my PC, flip on a pre-amp, and go. I will use vinyl/CD weekly, but not daily. It feels like the big questions here are around the DAC and Preamp,...but I welcome any input. Thanks in advance....

No affiliation to seller (Apos) or the manufacturer. I am just floored by this product. Running Roon and using it as a wireless streamer and DAC. Replacing an Auralic mini, NAD m51 combo. Excellent build quality; Sounds as good if not better out of the box. Easy setup, excellent functionality and nice solid remote. This feeds a W4S pre and amp and eventually my full range Ottavo speakers designed by the late Rick Craig of Selah Audio. No issues playing any bit rate/DSD/FLACs or MQA files. Have not tried various filters etc. I have not done any critical listening yet but seems like a winner. The Auralic (one of my many) was choppy and as it was aging, not reliable, dropping off constantly. Tried a Bluesound Node which was giving me weird noises and hums and seems to be a known issue. Going back to the store. I love the screen/display - fast wireless connection and flawless interface with Roon. For just about 1K it is replacing 2.5K worth of audiogear and many fewer cables. I am sold. Highly recommend it without reservation.

I have just read a positive review in July number of Italian magazine AudioReview about this new little DAC from Project http://www.box-designs.com/main.php?prod=preboxs2digital&cat=s2-line&lang=en A very reasonable entry level price for experimenting with MQA, but apparently not at all entry level performance. Main specs from Pro-Ject infosheet: • Dual mono construction • High end ESS Sabre ESS9038 dual DAC • Proprietary clock circuity design • Organic polymer capacitors and thin film miniMELF resistors • MQA hardware decoding • DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 & DSD512 (DSD over PCM) • Up to 24bit/192kHz for optical & coax inputs • 7 selectable digital filter characteristics • 1 proprietary optimum transient digital filter • Headphone output on the front (6.3mm) • Synchronization of all internal oscillators • Jitter as low as 100 Femtoseconds! • Gold plated four layer PCB • Full alu/metal sandwich casing in silver or black SRP: € 349,00

https://www.speakershack.co.uk/articleResult.php?subject=2&record=2439

If I use good quality equipment, like a good dac, a good amp and speakers (with good measurements) and a good acoustic treatment, do I really need a power conditioner or power regenerator? will I get sonic benefits? Don't good devices already have great filtering for noise or pollution that degrades the sound? Basically I don't know if I plug everything straight into the socket or use some ''filter''. I think this question is valid and I think that many have it too, since spending money testing each product is not at all viable for me. I've been researching recently about power conditioner, power filter and etc, I always think about not very expensive solutions to improve the quality of my setup or at least have stable power without much noise. When reading in other forums and reading reviews, it seems encouraging, but it is very relative and depends on the setup of each one. I see that the question is not as simple as saying whether ''need'' (or not) from the moment you identify ''a problem'' as noise, hum or audible ground loop in the sound, often the noise may not be very noticeable and we think everything is ok (with degraded sound quality), until we test a product like that. Everything gets more confusing when we see that it's not enough just to buy a suitable power conditioner and ok, certain products alter the sound and can compress soundstage, bass or harm the treble, because the power is cut a little, the solution for this they say it's the ones' 'power regenerators'', but which are too expensive.

Speakers such as the Audioengine HD6 and Klipsch The Sixes have in built DAC for HiRes music support and Bluetooth 5.0 for HQ streaming. Anymore speakers as such under $1000? Specifically looking for a built in DAC better than the Topping D50s! Thank You 🙏🏼☺️

A new DAC is coming form Rupert Neve. He is one of the best known designers in pro audio, and starting a venture in Hi-Fi now. https://fidelice.com

Hi to all, I'm Andre with Volumio. I wanted to take the time to introduce myself and the PRIMO. As most of you know, Volumio is the leading media player software used by most audiophiles. Recently, the PRIMO , network music player and streamer , has been released. I am here to answer any questions and start a conversation about what you think of it and eventually even see if any of you would be interested in taking a closer look and share your opinions with the rest of the community. In a nutshell, the PRIMO is: not RPI based its actually Tinkerboard based with the software embedded, so no more SD cards and legendary connectivity issues of the RPI. no more DIY its a finished product in a proper box that takes its place amongst your system plug & play unbox, connect, power on, set up in less than 1 min and play. Volumio is well known for its intuitive user interface and experience. 3 in 1 outputs analog/digital/USB and plenty other features that you can check out here https://volumio.org/primo/ have a look and let me know if you have any questions or comments about it, I'm here to assit with this or any other Volumio related question. Regards Andre

Dear experts: Many DACs have volume control function so they could serve as a DAC or as a DAC + Pre-amplifier. Could you please report on the differences in the sound of your systems in both cases? The latter configuration provides shorter signal path, but how does it effect the sound? What variables are in play here? I am planning my setup and would appreciate your expert advice very much indeed. Please chime in!

I have a mid 2012 Macbook Pro, Mackie CR3's, Behringer HPX2000 and I'm just kinda happy. Mackies are connected to 3.5mm headphone output of Macbook Pro to the 1/4 TRS inputs of the Mackies. The Mackies have a 3.5mm aux output I can run the headphones on but when I plug them in the speakers shut off. I read that my laptop has 3.5mm/optical mini toslink output. How can I 100% find that out? I installed a programs called Mactracker and it said I had it but I followed some other instructions to check and it didn't show I do. In any event, without upgrading the Mackies I'd like to improve my all around sound quality and achieve deeper bass expecially when wearing the heaphones which aren't very load from the Mackies. I cloud try going straight to the Macbook with them but I don't want to be moving the cable a lot, the jack already seems loose. Please help, this is what I kinda have in mind, keep in mind I know nothing about all this stuff. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X238W58/?coliid=I3OM2SNSG0CQXA&colid=CC9E3PYS8XU9&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I am trying to build a hifi Headphone station for Roon streaming. This is an evolution of an earlier thread I started.... I was seeking too much in an all-in-one box and have decided to get a stand-alone tube headphone amp. I am looking for a Roon-Ready streamer/DAC to feed it. My IDEAL box would do precisely that, do it really well, and do nothing else. My research has turned up many Roon-Ready DACs, but almost all are bloated with many features I do not need (pre-amps, proprietary control software, etc). I don’t mind spending <=$2k, but I’d rather that go into a better DAC than into features I do not need. Suggestions?

@Kal Rubinson and any others — has anyone tried out this new multichannel DAC? https://www.oktoresearch.com/dac8pro.htm At €989, it seems like a bargain. JCR

Hi Guys, I have a ALLO USBRIDGE SIGNATURE which I have been using connected to a NAD D2030 which has a built in DAC. however this has now stopped working, so I'm looking for a stand alone DAC with usb input to pair with the Allo. My budget is a max of $500. Any suggestions much apprecaited. I was considering the Shiit modi 3 or maybe Dragonfly??

My existing system Wadia 270 CD Transport <--- Now I want to get rid all CDs Wadia 27 DAC Krell Preamp and amplifier Totem Speakers I would like to now put all my CDs on a QNAP NAS system in FLAC format. What do I need to connect QNAP to my system to play music. Thanks AR

Greetings, Looking for a new headphone amp for a specific situation: drive a stand-alone headphone system in a home study. No loudspeakers. Roon-Ready streaming Tidal/Qobuz/NAS will be only source. Ideally, I could find a high-end, class A tube amp with balanced phone outs,...with DAC and streamer built-in. BUT, I prefer to not compromise amp or DAC quality in order to jam all functions into a single box. 2 components would be fine. Suggestions?

I'm currently on the look out for a new DAC with DSD 512, Streaming etc. I had never heard of this DAC before but there's a very impressive review here: https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2019/06/14/cocktail-audio-x45-pro-music-player-dac-review/ I had my eyes set on the latest Denafrips Terminator DSD 1024 but the reviewer thinks Coctail is better! And the price is the same as Terminator with loads of extras like CD Play/Ripping and phono stage too (not that I need it). This looks like another great DAC alternative. Anyone with any thoughts/experiences with Coctail DACs especially with the latest 45Pro? Thanks.

I have my AudioEngine A5+ speakers with Yamaha YST-SW515 connected to the default sound card of my pc. I want to use an external DAC to play FLAC or DSD HiRes audio. From the options below, which do you suggest? My budget is below $150! AUDIOENGINE DAC AND ACCESSORIES NOT AVAILABLE IN MY COUNTRY AS OF NOW SO THAT'S NOT AN OPTION! Picks FiiO K3 SMSL M6 XDUOO XP-2 😊

I have my AudioEngine A5+ speakers with Yamaha YST-SW515 connected to the default sound card of my pc. I want to use an external DAC to play FLAC or DSD HiRes audio. From the options below, which do you suggest? My budget is below $150! AUDIOENGINE DAC AND ACCESSORIES NOT AVAILABLE IN MY COUNTRY AS OF NOW SO THAT'S NOT AN OPTION! Picks Topping D50 Topping DX3 Pro Khadas Tone Board 😊