DA2 Upgrade Module released

[rob725]

Originally Posted by j3brow

Rob,

I very much look forward to your thoughts re: the Yggy. I own two DACs, the D1100 and a Meridian 808v6. The D1100 lists at $7k and the 808 at $20k yet they sound REMARKABLY similar. When volume matched, they sound nearly identical IMO. I can hear greater differences in interconnects than I do between these 2 dacs. I have owned both concurrently for a little over 3 years now. I say all this to try and legitimize McIntosh digital, for anyone who will believe me. I bought and sold a esoteric K01x a little over 4 years ago, another $20k spinner/dac. I never missed it but that’s just me. I would love to hear additional top shelf dacs in my system in the future ... dCS, MSB, EMM labs but the likelihood of getting a demo where I live is slim to none.

Sounds like you're in a similar boat to me; not much around. I'm curious as well about the Yggy and some of the newer ladder dacs.

The reviews I've read on the D1100 have me intrigued as to whether I'd hear a difference. Although I have some DSD512 files, I've stopped downloading them; they are huge and are "created" from DSD256 masters, which is where DSD recording tops out. So, if the D1100 sounds better, I would have no issues switching to it over DA2, at which point I would also trade in the C53 for a C1100.

[W9TR]

I now have these DAC’s in various systems:
OppO UDP 205 ESS Sabre
MCIntosh MCD 1100 ESS Sabre
Benchmark DAC1 ESS Sabre
Benchmark DAC3 HGC ESS Sabre
Topping D50 ESS Sabre
Schiit Yggdrasil Analog Devices Multibit


I’ve found the ESS DAC’s sound remarkably similar. It doesn’t seem to matter what converter family is used, 9018, 9028, or 9038, so the implementation seems to be more important than the converter family.

The nod for best sound in the ESS family goes to the Benchmark DAC3 HGC. The $200 Topping D50 is a close second and probably on par with the others.

The differences are so minor that upsampling in JRiver makes more of a difference in sound signature than differences between the individual devices themselves.

But overall the Yggdrasil is still my favorite and gets used the most. I like it for its relaxed analog sound. It really does justice to Redbook sources. I keep the Benchmark DAC3 HGC around because it does native DSD which the Yggdrasil can’t do. I can transcode DSD to PCM in JRiver, and feed Yggy PCM but the Benchmark still sounds better on DSD.

The point of this all is that there is a certain sound signature with ESS based DAC’s and if it pleases you then moving up the food chain would be a very safe bet.

Multibit DAC’s like the Yggdrasil have a slightly different sound signature that some may prefer.

It took a lot of time living with these various DAC’s to tell the difference. I’m not sure I could pick one of the ESS based DAC’s over the others in a blind test.

The Yggy is different enough I may be able to pick it out but, who knows?

[rob725]

Originally Posted by W9TR

I’ve found the ESS DAC’s sound remarkably similar. It doesn’t seem to matter what converter family is used, 9018, 9028, or 9038, so the implementation seems to be more important than the converter family.

I'm thinking the same. According to McIntosh, the fully balanced analog section of the D1100 is what takes it to another level compared with either the DA1 or DA2, even though it uses the older chip. I see you have the C1100. Are you happy with it?

[W9TR]

Rob,
Yes, I'm very happy with my C 1100. If you are looking for a 'tubey' sound preamp look elsewhere as this unit has a very neutral sound signature. The MC phono section is outstanding as well.
Tom

[rob725]

Tom, that's good to hear! I really like the C53, but if the c1100/d1100 is that, but taken to the next level, which they appear to be, then I may not be able to resist. What were you running before the c1100?

[W9TR]

McIntosh C500T

[MainAnalog]

Originally Posted by W9TR

I now have these DAC’s in various systems:
OppO UDP 205 ESS Sabre
MCIntosh MCD 1100 ESS Sabre
Benchmark DAC1 ESS Sabre
Benchmark DAC3 HGC ESS Sabre
Topping D50 ESS Sabre
Schiit Yggdrasil Analog Devices Multibit


I’ve found the ESS DAC’s sound remarkably similar. It doesn’t seem to matter what converter family is used, 9018, 9028, or 9038, so the implementation seems to be more important than the converter family.

The nod for best sound in the ESS family goes to the Benchmark DAC3 HGC. The $200 Topping D50 is a close second and probably on par with the others.

I have the Benchmark DAC2 HGC and was very surprised to read the designer in a blog on their website, saying that you shouldn't hear an audio difference moving from the 2 to the 3 you have. Sounded very close to some honesty... ;-)

[W9TR]

That’s my understanding as well. The DAC1 and DAC3 I have sound pretty similar.

[Logan Nolag]

Just heard about this. Never bothered to upgrade my C47 to a C49 since the DA1 is pretty much the same as the C47s DAC but this module makes me want to upgrade. Too bad the C49 doesn't come with the DA2 by default. I don't really need any of the DSD or DXD features but I really want the HDMI input. Right now I'm using my TV's optical output but it would be really nice to use HDMI so I can benefit from the auto lip sync.

[LarryMan]

Hi all,

I use McIntosh C49 Preamp & paired with MC312 Poweramp. This combo sounds beautifully to me when listening to my music collections from my Windows PC via USB input. I also stream from Tidal & Spotify by my PC USB connection as well. The DA1 DAC comes with the C49 works great but i've decided to upgrade to the DA2 DAC. But after the V1.14 USB Driver for Windows 10 was downloaded from McIntosh's Support site and installed, i noticed that the McIntosh HD Control Panel is no longer exists despite i can still use Windows's own Sound Control panel to alternate the Sampling rates. But the 32 bit sampling is not there and it has up to 24 bit rate only. I clearly remember that DA1 had up to 32 bit rate to choose.

Do you have any idea why ? Does it have to do with the McIntosh USB ASIO driver for the DA2 module? I remembered that the Topping D90 DAC had exact same issue when it first came out for sale about a year ago. Their technician had to make up the 32 bit sampling rate in the subsequent driver updates. I understand that i can enable the 32 bit rate support from within J River, but when i stream Tidal/Spotify via my PC can only use 24 bit now. The soundstaging differences are easily noticeable. I have emailed McIntosh support but yet to hear from them.

Any advises ?

Thanks