To dac or not to dac - that is the question.
Posted by: church warden on 23 June 2009
My current set up comprises:
cdx2/xps2/hiline/202/150/fc2/Neat Motive 2. The Motive 2s are a fairly recent addition (replacing longstanding IBLs) with Chord Epic subsequently replacing NACA5, and 2 powerlines being added from a one off addition to my funds. I am not a regular, or big upgrader. I know my system has its limitations but I enjoy listening to the music it produces and affording the next significant level up is not a realistic prospect.
Having too much time on my hands, gradually I have been building up a lossless (EAC FLAC) back-up of all of my cds (in fact, two back-ups stored on separate portable drives). Irked by a comment from my partner about how much nicer it would be if she could just use Songbird to select and control the music going to the Naim, I am wondering whether the time has yet arrived when a computer/DAC combination can truly, significantly out-perform my cdx2/xps2 combination at a similar or lesser cost.
I don't wish to stir up the fundamentalists of which, from a study of other postings on this forum, there are clearly a few. I am seeking some reasoned, considered thoughts on what, if any, DAC options there may be which would warrant my consideration/auditioning for replacing the CDP end of my system to give a genuine improvement in the musicality/quality and provide my partner her "user friendly" interface.
cdx2/xps2/hiline/202/150/fc2/Neat Motive 2. The Motive 2s are a fairly recent addition (replacing longstanding IBLs) with Chord Epic subsequently replacing NACA5, and 2 powerlines being added from a one off addition to my funds. I am not a regular, or big upgrader. I know my system has its limitations but I enjoy listening to the music it produces and affording the next significant level up is not a realistic prospect.
Having too much time on my hands, gradually I have been building up a lossless (EAC FLAC) back-up of all of my cds (in fact, two back-ups stored on separate portable drives). Irked by a comment from my partner about how much nicer it would be if she could just use Songbird to select and control the music going to the Naim, I am wondering whether the time has yet arrived when a computer/DAC combination can truly, significantly out-perform my cdx2/xps2 combination at a similar or lesser cost.
I don't wish to stir up the fundamentalists of which, from a study of other postings on this forum, there are clearly a few. I am seeking some reasoned, considered thoughts on what, if any, DAC options there may be which would warrant my consideration/auditioning for replacing the CDP end of my system to give a genuine improvement in the musicality/quality and provide my partner her "user friendly" interface.
555ps changes the game again for all the Naim bits and I suspect also for the DAC though it will have to be great on it's own to really become a force. I suspect a 555ps may have helped the earlier comparison but there's certainly no comparison in price. The Weiss is definitely cost effective until something better comes along. 
Good to do these things for yourself and decide. 
The only other I'd currently try in that range is the Nagra LB as a DAC with a TC interface. Not as easy to use or setup but I like it. Of course the similarly priced Naim DAC isn't far off either.
Nice to hear that Amarra seems to be the real deal.
Good to do these things for yourself and decide. The only other I'd currently try in that range is the Nagra LB as a DAC with a TC interface. Not as easy to use or setup but I like it. Of course the similarly priced Naim DAC isn't far off either.Nice to hear that Amarra seems to be the real deal.
Patrick,
I know what you are saying, but PCs (with appropriate cards or bypass software) and Intel OSX Macs have moved enough people away from CD already. Not everyone but the numbers are very significant.
The fact that improvements continue to be made should be no real surprise - presumably that's what advances in CDPs were sold on too. Nobody used to moan that their previous player was not as good as it should have been. They just accept the progress - or not. After all if we get hung up on the 'perfect' bit - that was CD's slogan in the early 80's - "perfect sound forever" - yeah right. 
I think the jitter thing may be part of it but the encouraging thing is that my computer audio was already ahead of where my CDP had been, for much less. So if there is more to be had....no problem.
Joe
I know what you are saying, but PCs (with appropriate cards or bypass software) and Intel OSX Macs have moved enough people away from CD already. Not everyone but the numbers are very significant.
The fact that improvements continue to be made should be no real surprise - presumably that's what advances in CDPs were sold on too. Nobody used to moan that their previous player was not as good as it should have been.
They just accept the progress - or not. After all if we get hung up on the 'perfect' bit - that was CD's slogan in the early 80's - "perfect sound forever" - yeah right. I think the jitter thing may be part of it but the encouraging thing is that my computer audio was already ahead of where my CDP had been, for much less. So if there is more to be had....no problem.
Joe
I interviewed a former record company senior exec today. We got onto the subject of sound quality "so do you notice a difference with MP3" really??!! well you must be in the .0001% minority then... arrrg this is the head of a record label 