Aurender A10 to DAC (USB) upgrade?

[Mordante]

For streaming I use a Aurender A10 and I like it. The user interface is good and it sounds good. But I do wonder if an modern external DAC would give an improvement.

I was triggered by this thought since Schiit has recently?? launched the Gungnir II. Since that is around the 2k mark new I was wondering if it would be better compared to the Internal DAC of the A10.

An added benefit would be that I can use my CEC TL51x with it.

So will an external DAC for 2K or less will improve the sound and if so what would be a nice DAC?

 

[Mike]

Can you get a decent older used Lampi for that?

 

[Mordante]

Can you get a decent older used Lampi for that?

My problem with Lampi is that the brand often has very limited in and outputs. There is 1 for sale, Generation 4 Level 4. (8years old 1500 asking price) With only USB and optical in. While I could live with that even though I would prefer coax and AES/ebu in as well. My pre-amp only has XLR inputs and no RCA.

I think modern Lampi are more flexible, but to be honest I think Lampi was nice a few years ago. But they kept raising and raising their prices.

 

[Mr Peabody]

My friend had the Yggy it sounded good. FWIW he went from that to a Chord, not sure what model but it wasn't the Dave. I think Schiit offers a return if not happy if you wanted to try one.

I've not heard an Aurender DAC so don't know what to recommend.

I will say in that $2k range I was really impressed by what Teac is offering now. I'm not sure if they have just a DAC, seems most of theirs have preamp functions and streaming.