Are pricey DACs really better? DAC suggestions needed

[uleikw]

I recently ordered a pair of kh120ii and the MA1 microphone to start with. They haven't arrived yet but I think it is time to pick a DAC for them to work. I do have a budget for a smsl SUX or D2R and i've heard nice words about them. But after browsing through a few other cheaper options like the D400ES and D300, a couple of questions came up to my mind. I don't think I can feel any difference between a SINAD of 117 and a SINAD of 124. Then what exactly am I paying the premium for? There are more expensive options out there like the RME ADI-2, are they really worth the price for what they offer? Also, the matrix mini i4 pro seems to be a good option since it is essentially a streamer + DAC + headphone amp so i could use the airplay function.

Below is my need:
I need it to have a bluetooth 5.1 or airplay functionality so I could connect it with my iphone.
I want a HDMI input because I will be buying a projector later

Which one should I pick?

 

[kemmler3D]

Good news, the KH120II has its own DAC built in. In fact, it doesn't even have analog inputs.

So, don't buy a DAC, you don't need one for the speakers, and in fact can't use one with the KH120 II. Buy something with SDPDIF (or AES) output.

To address your other questions:

I don't think I can feel any difference between a SINAD of 117 and a SINAD of 124.

Correct, very unlikely you could hear any difference there.

Then what exactly am I paying the premium for? There are more expensive options out there like the RME ADI-2, are they really worth the price for what they offer?

RME stuff is really well built and has built-in EQ, stuff like that. However, you are not paying for more sound quality, just better features, warranty, etc. Whether it's worth it depends on who you ask.

 

[uleikw]

Thank you for your info! I didn't know the DAC is built into the KH120ii.

it doesn't even have analog inputs

I'm pretty sure it takes analog inputs as it is placed at the bottom right corner on the backside of the speaker. But does it mean the built-in DAC will sample the analog input into digital and then convert it to analog again?

Buy something with SDPDIF output.

What are some of the options? I do have a budget around $800. But I can also save portions of it up for KH750.

 

[kemmler3D]

BTW I should have mentioned, the only product I know of that includes both HDMI and Bluetooth in one box would be the WiiM Ultra, which is actually not out yet, but is coming soon. Others might share different recommendations. It does fit your budget though.

 

[kemmler3D]

I'm pretty sure it takes analog inputs as it is placed at the bottom right corner on the backside of the speaker. But does it mean the built-in DAC will sample the analog input into digital and then convert it to analog again?

D'oh, you are correct, there is an analog input there. I should have looked at all the photos. But yes, it will digitize the input again. Although I would expect it to sound perfectly fine, technically you are better off using the digital input. Or at least, using a DAC would be redundant.

 

[staticV3]

What are some of the options? I do have a budget around $800. But I can also save portions of it up for KH750.

That depends on what kind of features you're looking for.

If all you need is USB in->Coax out, then one of these will do the job just fine:

SMSL PO100 PRO USB Digital Interface MQA Decoding XOMS XU316 DSD64 Optical Coaxial DSD512 I2S output 32bit 768Khz for PS5 Switch

SMSL PO100 PRO USB Digital Interface MQA Decoding XOMS XU316 DSD64 Optical Coaxial DSD512 I2S output 32bit 768Khz for PS5 Switch

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DD ddHiFi TC100S Portable Digital Interface & RC100C RCA OCC Coaxial Cable (Detachable Version of TC100-COA)

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DD ddHiFi TC100-COA USB-C Female to Digital RCA Coaxial Converter Audio Cable

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Douk Audio U2 XMOS XU208 USB to Coaxial/Optical Converter Digital Interface Audio Adapter DSD

U2 is a USB to Toslink optical and coaxial converter, suitable for PC computer, notebook, android phone(OTG), set-top box, rock 64, raspberry pi and so on, it can bring better listening experience than PC own sound card. Features Adopting the digital interface of XMOS XU208 chip solution, with...

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Douk Audio U2 PRO XMOS XU208 USB to COAX/OPT/HDMI Converter Digital Interface DSD256

Features With USB input and TOSLINK optical / coaxial /HDMI 12S output(can output at the same time), can work well with DAC, preamp, amplifier or speaker. Adopting XMOS XU208 chip solution, with 1000MIPS random access memory much higher than U8 (500MIPS), and more stable than Italian Amanero...

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If you want more features like Bluetooth input, Hardware EQ, SRC etc, the price goes up.

 

[bachatero]

Just get the cheapest one from the options above that fits your needs, then spend the rest of your budget on a subwoofer so that you aren't missing a couple octaves of music (the KH120ii lacks a lot of bass response)

 

[uleikw]

That depends on what kind of features you're looking for.

If all you need is USB in->Coax out, then one of these will do the job just fine:

SMSL PO100 PRO USB Digital Interface MQA Decoding XOMS XU316 DSD64 Optical Coaxial DSD512 I2S output 32bit 768Khz for PS5 Switch

SMSL PO100 PRO USB Digital Interface MQA Decoding XOMS XU316 DSD64 Optical Coaxial DSD512 I2S output 32bit 768Khz for PS5 Switch

aoshida-audio.com

DD ddHiFi TC100S Portable Digital Interface & RC100C RCA OCC Coaxial Cable (Detachable Version of TC100-COA)

Buy DD ddHiFi TC100S Portable Digital Interface & RC100C RCA OCC Coaxial Cable (Detachable Version of TC100-COA) on HiFiGo, and you can enjoy a year warranty and the best after-sales service.

hifigo.com

DD ddHiFi TC100-COA USB-C Female to Digital RCA Coaxial Converter Audio Cable

Buy DD ddHiFi TC100-COA USB-C Female to Digital RCA Coaxial Converter Audio Cable on HiFiGo, and you can enjoy a year warranty and the best after-sales service.

hifigo.com

Douk Audio U2 XMOS XU208 USB to Coaxial/Optical Converter Digital Interface Audio Adapter DSD

U2 is a USB to Toslink optical and coaxial converter, suitable for PC computer, notebook, android phone(OTG), set-top box, rock 64, raspberry pi and so on, it can bring better listening experience than PC own sound card. Features Adopting the digital interface of XMOS XU208 chip solution, with...

doukaudio.com

Douk Audio U2 PRO XMOS XU208 USB to COAX/OPT/HDMI Converter Digital Interface DSD256

Features With USB input and TOSLINK optical / coaxial /HDMI 12S output(can output at the same time), can work well with DAC, preamp, amplifier or speaker. Adopting XMOS XU208 chip solution, with 1000MIPS random access memory much higher than U8 (500MIPS), and more stable than Italian Amanero...

doukaudio.com

If you want more features like Bluetooth input, Hardware EQ, SRC etc, the price goes up.

I am pretty new to this and I am a little confused now. Does this mean I need one of these to convert from usb to coax and connect it to the spdif input to one of the speakers, then I need to connect the spdif output of the same speaker to the spdif input of the remaining one and assign L/R with the switch?

 

[staticV3]

I am pretty new to this and I am a little confused now. Does this mean I need one of these to convert from usb to coax and connect it to the spdif input to one of the speakers, then I need to connect the spdif output of the same speaker to the spdif input of the remaining one and assign L/R with the switch?

That would be the way to do it, if you want to make use of the KH120II's digital input.

 

[uleikw]

That would be the way to do it if you want to make use of the KH120II's digital input.

So if I am getting the kh750 in the future, I just add it to the link? And because it is all digital, the connection sequence should not matter I guess?

 

[staticV3]

So if I am getting the kh750 in the future, I just add it to the link?

Correct.

And because it is all digital, the connection sequence should not matter I guess?

IIRC, Neumann recommends KH750 first, then the two monitors in whatever order you prefer.

 

[uleikw]

It looks like I need an audio interface in order to use the MA1 mic for room correction. I am wondering if the below configurations would work to add airplay capability to the system.

Which of these four configurations will work? Or do I just swap out the audio interface after the room correction and keep the connections simple?? What are some Audio Interface options with both SPDIF in and out?

 

[staticV3]

@uleikw You can swap out the interface for a streamer once the calibration is done and the filter values are written to the speakers.

For the interface, take a look at the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 MK2.

For the streamer, take a look at WiiM's offerings like the Pro, Pro Plus, or Ultra.

 

[uleikw]

For the interface, take a look at the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 MK2.

Komplete Audio 6 looks pretty expensive for a one time use purchase, is it possible to keep it inside the loop so I can attach mics to it later? And if it is possible, which of the configurations will work?

 

[staticV3]

Komplete Audio 6 looks pretty expensive for a one time use purchase, is it possible to keep it inside the loop so I can attach mics to it later?

The Komplete Audio is the least expensive interface with Spdif out, so the least expensive option if you want to do MA 1 Calibration in the digital domain.

You can of course use it as a general purpose interface, once you're done with the calibration.

For this, I would do PC->USB->Interface->SPDIF->Streamer->SPDIF->Monitors.