HionHiFi
Active Member
I have a first world problem. Which DAC/Preamp to buy?
I'm in the market for a new DAC/Preamp (room correction, no A/V). I want to implement DSP Room Correction into the system. I'm just not sure which implementation to go with. A software DSP solution ie Dirac VST hosted in Audirvana in my Mac Mini using an outboard DAC/Preamp or a hardware solution in the MiniDSP SHD performing all the functions.
I've narrowed the choices down to a Teac UD-505 and a MiniDSP SHD.
Teac UD-505 $875
Signal Path
Mac Mini --Audirvana (Dirac VST) USB--> Teac UD-505 --analog--> VTV Hypex NC502MP Amplifier --analog-->Egglestonworks Fontaine's
Pros
MiniDSP SHD All in One Streaming Processor $1171
Signal Path
Mac Mini --Audirvana USB--> SHD --analog--> VTV Hypex NC502MP Amplifier --analog-->Egglestonworks Fontaine's
Pros
I'm liking the flexibility of the Teac UD-505. I can see it being the center of my front end system. I can also see that in the SHD too.
Note: I have no use for the headphone amplifier. MiniDSP SHD (fullsize)
I'm in the market for a new DAC/Preamp (room correction, no A/V). I want to implement DSP Room Correction into the system. I'm just not sure which implementation to go with. A software DSP solution ie Dirac VST hosted in Audirvana in my Mac Mini using an outboard DAC/Preamp or a hardware solution in the MiniDSP SHD performing all the functions.
I've narrowed the choices down to a Teac UD-505 and a MiniDSP SHD.
Teac UD-505 $875
Signal Path
Mac Mini --Audirvana (Dirac VST) USB--> Teac UD-505 --analog--> VTV Hypex NC502MP Amplifier --analog-->Egglestonworks Fontaine's
Pros
I can use any DAC/Preamp I like
Hi-Res audio playback supporting DSD512 (22.6MHz) and PCM 768kHz/32-bit PCM
Dual monaural circuit design with a high-end AKM VERITA AK4497 DAC on each channel
5 types of PCM digital filters and 2 types of DSD digital filters
Up-conversion up to 24.5MHz DSD and 384kHz/32-bit PCM
Bluetooth, APTx HD, LDAC
1 Analog input
Mac Mini has the processing power to handle more advanced Room Correction DSP's like Acourate, and Audiolense.
ConsRoom correction is only performed on music coming out of the Mac Mini.
No room correction is performed on Apple TV and other sources in the system.
MiniDSP SHD All in One Streaming Processor $1171
Signal Path
Mac Mini --Audirvana USB--> SHD --analog--> VTV Hypex NC502MP Amplifier --analog-->Egglestonworks Fontaine's
Pros
Dirac Live® 3.0 Digital Room Correction is performed on all sources in the system.
DSP audio tuning software to tune my dual subwoofers
Network Streaming Audio
ConsLocked into 1 Preamp/DAC
All audio is downsampled to 96kHz
Analog inputs are digitized
No wireless options like bluetooth, or LDAC
I'm liking the flexibility of the Teac UD-505. I can see it being the center of my front end system. I can also see that in the SHD too.
Note: I have no use for the headphone amplifier. MiniDSP SHD (fullsize)
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