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Author Topic: Recommended DAC for EC Super7  (Read 2276 times)

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Valentin Hogea

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Recommended DAC for EC Super7
« on: December 08, 2012, 08:37:11 AM »
Hi!

Been reading around and sucking in all the knowledge here on changstar. Every thread is interesting. So, it'll take at least a week more.

The thing I'm wondering about is which DAC 300-700 USD to combine with the EC S7. The many different sounds that one can tweak from the S7, seems to necessitate a neutral DAC, if I've understood it right.

So... Which one would the gurus recommend? A plus if it's available in 230V.
Should be noted that I'm looking for something with several inputs e.g. 1-3 SPDIF-coax, (maybe 1 USB) and 2 line-outs/pre-outs to send it both to the S7 and a separate pre-amp+power-amp for the speakers.

Thx,
V


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burnspbesq

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Re: Recommended DAC for EC Super7
« Reply #1 on: December 09, 2012, 06:05:02 PM »
Quote from: Valentin Hogea on December 08, 2012, 08:37:11 AM
Hi!

Been reading around and sucking in all the knowledge here on changstar. Every thread is interesting. So, it'll take at least a week more.

The thing I'm wondering about is which DAC 300-700 USD to combine with the EC S7. The many different sounds that one can tweak from the S7, seems to necessitate a neutral DAC, if I've understood it right.

So... Which one would the gurus recommend? A plus if it's available in 230V.
Should be noted that I'm looking for something with several inputs e.g. 1-3 SPDIF-coax, (maybe 1 USB) and 2 line-outs/pre-outs to send it both to the S7 and a separate pre-amp+power-amp for the speakers.

Thx,
V

I'm having a four-way inexpensive-DAC shootout with a friend at my office this afternoon.  Dragonfly, Micromega MyDAC, Arcam rDAC, and Resonessence Concero.  Stay tuned.
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Valentin Hogea

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Re: Recommended DAC for EC Super7
« Reply #2 on: December 09, 2012, 07:01:30 PM »
Nice!

Don't know if they fit my specs, but we'll see...  :)p6
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burnspbesq

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Re: Recommended DAC for EC Super7
« Reply #3 on: December 10, 2012, 03:58:38 AM »
I'm only aware of one DAC in the price range you specified that has all of the inputs and outputs you're looking for, so if that's a show stopper, do come back and tell us how you like your audio-gd NFB-1.32 after you've had it for a while.

There are plenty of DACs in that price range that I haven't heard, including the aforementioned audio-gd and the Yulong D100 Mk II.  Within the confines of today's comparo, the Concero is the clear winner.  I continue to think that it punches way above its weight, but it has only one USB and one coax input, and only one pair of single-ended RCA outputs.  That's perfectly fine for me in the context in which I use it.  Even if you can't live with the I/O limitations, you should hear it so that you know what's possible at the price point.

Link to impressions at HF:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/634760/resonessence-labs-concero-discussion-review-thead/45#post_8941372

Enjoy.

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CEE TEE

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Re: Recommended DAC for EC Super7
« Reply #4 on: December 10, 2012, 06:32:00 AM »
Would love to hear more impressions about the DACs that are recommended too. 

@Valentin Hogea, which primary headphone do you plan to use with the Super 7?


For example- if I were to recommend the Benchmark (I won't), I would warn anyone that it is not considered "warm" though it extends well and is pretty "connected" depending upon the transducer.  Benchmark does not hit bass/sub-bass as well as the Lavry DA-11 but sounds similar to the DA-10 (to me).   Taking a LOT of work for me with the HD800 to get to an enjoyable sound with with most recordings and I might end up with a DAC later that has a "fuller" sound & which does not enhance the treble-tilt of the HD800.  I have been able to tame the sibilance of the HD800 with foam and tubes, but since the S7 is extended and resolving- I will have to try Anaxilus' new mod (after it comes out) and some capacitors to bring down or smooth out the treble.


The Stello DA100 really has a romantic, rolled-off sound to me...but if you can have two DACs for $700 with differing tastes it might be a good combo to have one DAC that is known as "revealing" and one that is called "warm" or "rolled-off".


Sometimes, there are two ways of listening or comparing for me...just "using the items for a while" or the "analytical A/B" which can take the form of "this DAC does not seem to extend as high as this other DAC".


I'm still trying to figure out which methodology or balance of approaches is going to lead to the best system or the most enjoyment for me.


So, one approach to spending $500-$700 might be to grab a gamma2 plus a used Stello DA-100 and use them both depending upon the phones/recording/mood?  I'm interested to see what people recommend for the S7 and to hear some feedback to this approach.  Does anyone else here keep a couple of DACs around for this same purpose?


(What I'd like to have is a Lavry DA-11 and a PWD MKII.  But darn, that ain't $700.   :)p18 )
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Valentin Hogea

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Re: Recommended DAC for EC Super7
« Reply #5 on: December 10, 2012, 04:42:34 PM »
The phones in question are Anax-modded HD800 + LCD-3.

Since the S7 is "customizable", I'm thinking that the DAC should handle both phones, and the tweaking will be done in the S7.
Am I doing it wrong? ;)

Btw... Tell me more about the Lavry DA11... There's one FS here in Sweden actually. 850€.
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CEE TEE

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Re: Recommended DAC for EC Super7
« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2012, 07:36:23 AM »
What I liked from a quick listen to the DA11 was the bass dynamics and punch plus extension...also I did like the different presentations of the PIC imaging but did not spend enough time with it to know if I would use it all the time.


Maybe I can find a local one to borrow next year or maybe I'll focus on a warmer DAC to try. 


(Dang, hate to start getting caught up in researching another DAC when I would like to spend my time figuring out what new music to get.)
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Mr.Sneis

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Re: Recommended DAC for EC Super7
« Reply #7 on: December 11, 2012, 06:07:04 PM »
I have tried a few different DACs with the Super 7 in that price range:

PS Audio NuWave DAC
Parasound DAC 1500
Apogee MiniDAC
Stello DA 100 Signature
Pico DAC Only

I preferred the Stello over all the rest; the Apogee was flatter sounding, the NuWave had a ton of bass but there was something sterile about it, the Parasound sounds like it's missing a little detail (I had it hooked up through a HiFace One).  I probably need to spend more time with the Parasound though as I just got it.  The Pico DAC only lost in detail as well but still sounded very good considering the going rate on the used market.

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CEE TEE

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Re: Recommended DAC for EC Super7
« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2012, 06:52:27 PM »
Thanks for this rundown...I have heard Shipsupt's Stello and have been wanting to try it again with the Super7/HD800 combo.
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shipsupt

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Re: Recommended DAC for EC Super7
« Reply #9 on: December 11, 2012, 07:17:12 PM »
It's funny, I keep thinking my Stello is old needs immediate replacement!  After all, it wasn't the hottest thing out there when it was introduced.  But the more I compare, and the more I see others comment,  maybe it's still hanging in there.  It's still heading for  walk the plank, but I think I can live with it a while longer while I look for the right DAC upgrade for me. 


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Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.