Do I need a DAC or a new spinner?

MikeCh

MikeCh

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I've been running the Oppo BDP-95 for a couple years now. Love the flexibility it provides for all sorts of disc-playing formats. However, I find that I tire of it's "digital" sound after even short listening sessions. I believe it uses the Sabre ES9018 chipset.

Can anyone recommend a "more analog sounding" DAC for under $2k that I could partner with the Oppo BDP-95? From what I understand, the Oppo has limitations on what it can output (PCM is really it) via it's optical or SPDIF interfaces.

I would use any new external DAC for CD listening only since I don't have a library of downloaded hi-rez files. Owning a handful of SACD's, I understand the Oppo outputs SACD via HDMI which most all DAC's I've found do not have, so that's not important for me to use.

Perhaps it makes sense to just find a different spinner with better on board DAC? I'm looking for a DAC that sounds as analog as the Lumin products do for streaming. Is this possible within my budget?
 
MikeCh.......You may want to consider the Schiit Gungnir DAC with the multibit option. It is $1249 direct ordered from Schiit Audio. I have two friends who both own the Schiit Gungnir multibit DAC, nicknamed Gumby when it has the multibit upgrade. http://www.schiit.com/products/gungnir

Here is what one friend said about his Schiit Gungnir with the multibit upgrade: "The Gungnir Multibit is one of the most analog, least digital-sounding playback devices I've ever heard. It sounds like the best of analog on a very good turntable, but it sounds like going from a good moving magnet cartridge to a superb low-output moving coil. It is brilliant at creating an engaging and beguiling musical experience and I find myself just getting sucked into the music hour after hour. It doesn't sound digital..it sounds like MUSIC."

http://passionforsound.lachlanfennen.com/schiit-gungnir-multibit-dac-meet-gumby/
schiit-gungnir-multibit-multibit-balanced-dac-starspicker-1708-13-StarsPicker@17.jpg
 
If you like the sound of the Oppo minus the digital glare, you should check out North Star Design DAC's. The Intenso at $1,000 utilizes the ES9016, but it does it very well and brings about a smoother sound. Their DAC's focus on an ease of listening and a holographic presentation. The Excelsio at $2,300 utilizes the ES9018 and is smoother with even more space between images and a wider soundstage.

https://www.audiothesis.com/intenso
https://www.audiothesis.com/excelsio

If you want something completely different and don't mind a touch of the glare, then the Marantz SA-14s1 for an all-around DAC/transport would be a great investment. It is $2,500 retail, but I'm sure you could find one for less than that if you shopped around.

These are the best DAC's I've heard so far in the $2kish range.
 
A Hugo Chord or 2Qute (if you don't need the headphone amp) fits the bill for a very analog sound. You can find Hugo's used for about $1500 and the 2Qute which is the same DAC minus the headphone amp for about $1K.

Others to consider are the Aqua La Voce, Marantz Na-11s1 and a used Luxman DA-06, still a stereophile A+.

This AVAHiFi DAC also has a nice analog sound. It sounds better than my Luxman DA-06. I did a review of it on the Audio Circles forum for Frank Van Alstine. Plus he has a 30 day no questions asked return policy with no restocking fee. It is a great buy at $1800

http://www.avahifi.com/products/d-to-a-converters/ava-dac-mk-5
 
Thanks for all the suggestions gents! Lots of options between the choices provided.

Just curious, are there any tube type DAC's in the same price range ($2k-ish) worth checking out?
 
Mike

The Border Patrol and Musical Paradise are both tube DAC's as is the Lampizator Amber II which starts at just under $2k. The BP and Lampi are SS rectification and the MP tube, so tubed front to back. I've had and used the MP for almost a year and a half until just last week when I decided to try the Directstream I got a good deal on. It is hard to beat especially for the price and you can roll your own with rectifiers, input tubes and capacitors if you don't like what is supplied. The supplied input tubes and capacitors are actually pretty good but you will want to change the rectifier to one of the NOS versions allowed. Other than the 5AR4's they can be purchased fairly cheaply still on Ebay.
 
Jack said:
Mike

The Border Patrol and Musical Paradise are both tube DAC's as is the Lampizator Amber II which starts at just under $2k. The BP and Lampi are SS rectification and the MP tube, so tubed front to back. I've had and used the MP for almost a year and a half until just last week when I decided to try the Directstream I got a good deal on. It is hard to beat especially for the price and you can roll your own with rectifiers, input tubes and capacitors if you don't like what is supplied. The supplied input tubes and capacitors are actually pretty good but you will want to change the rectifier to one of the NOS versions allowed. Other than the 5AR4's they can be purchased fairly cheaply still on Ebay.
Click to expand...

Jack,

My apologies, I did see the MP and BP units you mentioned right off, but forgot where I read about them in my haste gathering information today from several sources. They do indeed look great. Good to hear you've got experience with the Musical Paradise as that one in particular did catch my eye. Thank you for chiming back in.
 
Mike

If you need anymore info on the MP DAC let me know. I tested dozens of tube combo's with it before settling in. As to which version to order I still don't know if there is any real difference between the 4490 and 4497 chipset other than SN numbers you can't hear, but I would stay away from the ESS chipset as the input section was not designed with it in mind and the sonic signature of ESS and AKM are certainly different.
 
I have a client who has the MP and he preferred the MP over the North Star Supremo due to the MP having some digital bite that he was accustomed to. Obviously you can add your own flavor with tubes but those were his words (his had upgraded tubes).
 
Never heard any "digital bite" ,which is why many companies use AKM instead of ESS, and I rolled over a dozen different pairs of input tubes and almost that many different rectifiers. I admit I never tried any of the 12 series tubes I had, which are allowed with a jumper change, which would have softened the sound even more. I tried both ends of the spectrum on the 6v input tubes and still no "digital glare". At $899 with free shipping a screaming bargain.
 
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