DAC to replace sonos

Posted by: blodsbror on 01 September 2013

Hi!

 

Over the last months, I've been experimenting with various streamers (especially sonos and airplay), into a superuniti. I've come to the conclusion that the sonos does provide great SQ. However, I'm considering switching to a simple -  PC, to USB DAC to Superuniti, solution. Mainly for reliability reasons, but of course if SQ can be improved further, this would be great.

 

I gave the Audioquest Dragonfly, a shot -  as it's been getting some really good reviews. And I'm impressed with the difference it makes with some A/B comparisons. (which isn't difficult over the onboard PC soundcard). But I just feel, that I could gain a lot more detail with a more expensive DAC. 

 

Has anyone heard comparisons between the dragonfly and the DAC-V1, or any other DAC with a USB interface ?. Or can personally recommend any other solutions, that would go along nicely with the superuniti ?

 

thanks!

Posted on: 01 September 2013 by hungryhalibut

If you have a SuperUniti, I can see no reason for a separate DAC or streamer. Just stick the music on a NAS and stream over the network. I have all my music on a UnitiServe, and it sounds super. As you already rip with a computer, which was something I did not want to do - hence the US, it would be easy to put the music on a NAS.

Posted on: 01 September 2013 by blodsbror

Thanks for the response. However it's important to add, that a requirement is to be able to stream spotify and other music services offering 320kbps audio. Hence using a PC, or Sonos as a source. Switching to a PC, I could use that as the complete source and control device, and get the reliability I'm looking for via a USB DAC. 

Posted on: 01 September 2013 by hungryhalibut

Surely you don't need a DAC, simply a USB to spdif converter?

Posted on: 01 September 2013 by trickydickie

The SuperUniti has digital inputs so you can use one of these to connect your Sonos to it.  I do the same with my Sonos into the NDX Dac and the results are very good. This gets you Spotify and you can use the SuperUniti for streaming as HH suggests.

 

If you are having reliability problems with streaming then look for a solution to that, I never have any issues with either Sonos or my NDX streaming and neither should you if it is setup correctly.

 

Richard

Posted on: 01 September 2013 by blodsbror

Yes, I currently do exactly that. Sonos via optical cable into the SU. But as I mentioned, I have reliability issues, and in addition feel I can get better sound out of a higher quality USB DAC solution coming from a PC. 

 

A USB to SPIDF converter, would make use of the internal PC soundcard - which will absolutely be sub-par quality when compared to an Asynchronous USB DAC like the V1/Dragonfly.

Posted on: 01 September 2013 by Jude2012

Hi,

 

The V1 is only USB based DAC that exists in the Naim line as you may be aware. It can be used as pre-amp or feed another pre such as an SU.

 

So, there a number of options as I see it (below) which a dealer should be able to demo before you actually choose, assuming that you have access to a dealer:

 

a) V1 to SU to speakers

b) V1 to an integrated amp to speakers

c) V1 to a power amp to speakers

 

In any case the 'PC' can be a Mac or Win machine as both will work with a V1 ( use a Mac Mini)

 

d) Mac mini to SU to speakers (using a optical cable) .  There are plenty of threads regarding this route on this forum.

 

Of course, there are non-Naim USB DACs (I have no experience of these)

 

HTH

 

J

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on: 01 September 2013 by GregU

I'm still fuzzy on what you are trying to accomplish. You have a fairly good dac in the SN.  Unless you want a nDac or Weiss what are you gaining?  Why don't you buy the aforementioned USB to spdif converter and connect your computer to your SN. If you buy a high quality asynchronous DAC you are still going to run a USB cable from your computer to your DAC.  Am I missing something?  I guess the latter removes the pc internal clock, but is it worth it?  You could take the few grand and buy better speakers

Posted on: 01 September 2013 by Bart
Originally Posted by blodsbror:

Yes, I currently do exactly that. Sonos via optical cable into the SU. But as I mentioned, I have reliability issues, and in addition feel I can get better sound out of a higher quality USB DAC solution coming from a PC. 

 

I have not heard the Dragonfly, but if you are proposing that the Dragonfly dac is a better-sounding dac than the SuperUniti . . . well, I am extremely skeptical.

 

 

Posted on: 04 September 2013 by DHT

I have used the range of M2Tech products, started with the HiFace, got a HiFace 2 ( their current USBto s/pdif converter) and the other day I borrowed their new tiny HiFace dac,they have all delivered .

Recommended.

H.