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Amp/dac help!

MysterE

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Oct 2, 2019
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Dear all!

Long time reader, first time posting so apologies if I am in the wrong area or asking things that have already been answered.

I am looking at buying a DAC to use in my system between my computer and integrated amp. Maybe someone can correct me but perhaps a headphone amp/dac would be practical as I use headphones fairly often.

I have - Rotel ra-1062
- Marantz CD6006
- Brik d/a converter
- Sen hd650
- Sonab 0a-5 mkii speakers.
- Dell laptop

My budget is up to $1000 (AUD) and would love to hear opinions on which dac or dac/amp to use to get the most from my HD650s as well as my digital music library.

Based on reviews and tests I have read, I have created a current list of devices that interest me:

-Monoprice Monolith THX AAA 788
-Topping DX3 pro
-JDS Labs El dac
-Marantz HD DAC1
-RME ADI-2 (a little over budget)

What would you choose? Can all of these units be used well as a dac between my computer and Rotel? The choices are overwhelming! Am I better off going straight to an end-game dac?

Kind regards,

E
 
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ZeDestructor

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I went Drop + Grace Design SDAC Balanced and Drop + THX AAA 789.

Amp-wise, the 789 is my endgame but DAC-wise, I will be replacing the SDAC with something else for my endgame, likely the upcoming DX7Pro if it measured as well as what Topping claims, or maybe a D70s if Topping bothers making one to match the DX7Pro's performance.

Being highly-biased, I'd say you should do the same as me, but you can look at the Monoprice THX 887, SMSL SP200 and Benchmark HPA4 as the obvious amp alternatives, while DAC-wise you have the Sabaj D5, March Audio DAC1, Topping D50s, E1DA 9038S/D, SMSL SU-8v2, Khadas Tone Board. For something more integrated, the RMA ADI-2 DAC stands above all thanks to it's integrated DSP.

Those options should be either within your budget, or near enough to not really matter.

EDIT: for us objectivists, all those mentioned above (besides the SDAC-B) would qualify as end-game, so I'd say you should jump straight to end-game in one go, since you can afford it.

EDIT2: You probably want a DAC with volume control, so you can volume-control your speaker amp if/when you upgrade that to one that doesn't have volume control.
 
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Veri

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TOTL: Sabaj D5, Topping DX7 Pro or RME ADI-2, optionally line-out to monoprice/massdrop THX AAA for even better amplification.

Or, realistically just a simple Topping DX3 would suffice for many.
 
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M

MysterE

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@Veri @ZeDestructor
Thank you for taking the time to help!

So right now I'm leaning towards either the Sabaj D5 or Topping Dx7(s/pro) into the THX 887. Any marked differences?

Alternatively, I could get just the RME...



E
 

ZeDestructor

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@Veri @ZeDestructorSo right now I'm leaning towards either the Sabaj D5 or Topping Dx7(s/pro) into the THX 887. Any marked differences?

Nothing audible. That said, the DX7s is clearly a previous-gen product in terms of performance to the D5and DX7 Pro, and the DX7s and the D5 don't have the bluetooth input that the DX7 Pro has. Since I do my DSP on my phone or PC, the cool DSP stuff of the RME doesn't appeal to me, but bluetooth input for the times when I brick my desktop certainly is. Consequently, I like DX7 Pro above everything else, on paper. Since I have infinite patience, I ain't gonna buy until it goes onto the bench :D
 
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MysterE

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@ZeDestructor
Bluetooth isn't such a big deal for me to be honest.

I have decided to get either the 887 or 789 (when they're bloody available!) but with which dac? Would it be silly to use the D5 Sabaj instead of a dedicated dac?
 
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