DAC Time Again - - -- Help :)

[Grasshopper]

Happy Thanksgiving all! I'm grateful for a lot of things, family, friends, and good music---

I've done a ton of system upgrades lately, and feel like I am getting close (it sounds actually pretty good).

My current DAC is the Mcintosh D100, which I know is a major weak link: (I have SF Aidas, being powered by a D'agostino S250...Future upgrades are preamp, and DAC).

I enjoy a warm colored, "Musical" sound. I do appreciate detail, and instrument separation. But am looking to be drawn in - over an analytical sound. As a movie example, I prefer watching Lord of the Rings and being "sucked in" over watching a BBC documentary on WWII if that makes sense.

I want to be entertained and drawn into the music, swept away ---- And I hate any perceived brightness. Realism is important, but being "warmed up" is a good thing-----


...so my search for the right "Flavor" of DAC has begun.

I've ordered the Yggy Less is More based on the Steller reviews. Im considering buying a used PS Audio Directstream DAC based on reviews that it is a warm/musical/detailed DAC to compare against the Yggy.

I've considered the Chord Dave, or a mid level dCS DAC as the "usual suspects" in the good DAC world.

I strongly prefer the $3,000-$5,000 price point (used gets me up to the $10K retail range). I can spend more, but if say the Yggy (or PS Audio) gets me 95% of the way there, I'm good.

At this stage, I don't want "subtle" upgrades.... Recognizing my D100 is way out of league with the rest of my equipment...I want a significant upgrade over it, but I don't want to pay an extra $5,000, $10,000 or $100,000 to have a Vivaldi stack if the $10,000 and under category gets me most of the way there. Most of my listening is Tidal streaming-

So please weigh in on your real world experiences in the Warm, awesome DAC world!


Yggy (Less is more...which is supposed to sound the best). vs. PS Audio Directstream DAC with bridge card. vs. dCS (rosinni or Bartok level)

Go AA Team!

[dkorbal]

I to am on a similar quest for better SQ out of a DAC. I started with Bluesound devices for whole house listening with a Vault2i connected to my main system. It was good for starters but later I added a oppo205 running through my C2700 preamp. I’m currently running Roon through the oppo205 but I just ordered a OpticalRendu to try out the USB in the C2700 DA2. My next step will be a separate DAC similar to the level you are considering. Although I’ve had no first hand knowledge, my research has lead me to consider Denafripe Terminator Plus and HoloAudio – May KTE DAC which are both R2R DACs. My understanding is the Denafripe is the warmer of the two but ymmv. Once again only six months of research but no listening comparisons. I believe there are others on here that are currently listening to these devices. Maybe they may chime in.

[bart]

Don't forget the streamer is as important as the DAC.
A good ethernet switch is also mandatory.

I've heard a lot of quite brilliant DACs, starting from a cheap AudioGD, over Auralic, iFi,... till the likes of Esoteric, MBL, Burmester, dCS, MSB and Mola Mola.
My funds are not unlimited, but I found a very good DAC I could afford.
I don't like warm or analytical, I like natural. That is exactly what the Tambaqui offers me.

Your speakers and amps can bear very high quality sources.
Do your research, audition at home.
And enjoy the journey!

[JemHadar]

If you can find one in immaculate condition, a McIntosh MDA1000 would be a good bet if you don’t require all the latest whistles and bells. I don’t think I will ever part with mine.

The Mola Mola Tambaqui is off the scale good, and if it wasn’t for my equally “hors catégorie” Analog Domain DAC1, the Tambaqui would be my first choice.

As Bart said, enjoy the journey…have fun

[bart]

Originally Posted by JemHadar

If you can find one in immaculate condition, a McIntosh MDA1000 would be a good bet if you don’t require all the latest whistles and bells. I don’t think I will ever part with mine.

The Mola Mola Tambaqui is off the scale good, and if it wasn’t for my equally “hors catégorie” Analog Domain DAC1, the Tambaqui would be my first choice.

I forgot to mention I've heard that high end DAC too.

[Pyro]

Originally Posted by JemHadar

If you can find one in immaculate condition, a McIntosh MDA1000 would be a good bet if you don’t require all the latest whistles and bells. I don’t think I will ever part with mine.

The Mola Mola Tambaqui is off the scale good, and if it wasn’t for my equally “hors catégorie” Analog Domain DAC1, the Tambaqui would be my first choice.

As Bart said, enjoy the journey…have fun

There is a McIntosh MDA 1000 listed in the Market Place, I happen to know the seller.

[Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by Pyro

There is a McIntosh MDA 1000 listed in the Market Place, I happen to know the seller.

Glad you posted this.

I look forward to receiving your MDA-1000, and Alpha USB- and have a shootout with the YGGY (and any other flavors).

[Pyro]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

Glad you posted this.

I look forward to receiving your MDA-1000, and Alpha USB- and have a shootout with the YGGY (and any other flavors).

I think you will enjoy the MDA 1000.

[Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by Pyro

I think you will enjoy the MDA 1000.

Thank you.

I’m excited to hear it!

[bart]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

Glad you posted this.

I look forward to receiving your MDA-1000, and Alpha USB- and have a shootout with the YGGY (and any other flavors).

I love shootouts!