I am looking for a reliable DAC to use with 2 (maybe 3 sources). My sources are a media streamer/player, a Marantz Pearl CD player and maybe also a FiiO M6 portable media player. The idea is to connect the devices via USB, CoAx and BT respectively. My amplifier (Yamaha S2000) has both RCA and XLR inputs although I have never used the later.
My first thought was to get the Topping D50s as it is available locally and is affordable. Then I figured since I keep my audio components for a fairly long time (10 years+) why not stretch and consider the SMSL SU-9, SonCoz SGD1, Gustard X16, or Topping D70BT all of which I would have to import. Apos Audio does not carry SonCoz but has the SMSL for $440, Topping for $470 and the Gustard for $500. There is another site called Audiophonics that sells the SMSL for €430, SonCoz for €500, Topping for €550 but they do not have the X16 in stock (they have the A18 for €560).
A friend of mine tells me that these "Chi-Fi" DACs (his terminology, not mine) are not reliable and that I should consider Denafrips Ares II or RME ADI-2 DAC. He has a Matrix Audio Element.
Please advise.
1. Are Topping, SMSL, Gustard and SonCoz reliable? or should I ignore them and get the Ares II or RME?
2. Is there a huge difference between the D50s and the D70BT, SU9, X16, SGD1 etc?
3. Between the SU9, D70BT, SGD1 and X16 which one would be preferred?
Thanks.
My first thought was to get the Topping D50s as it is available locally and is affordable. Then I figured since I keep my audio components for a fairly long time (10 years+) why not stretch and consider the SMSL SU-9, SonCoz SGD1, Gustard X16, or Topping D70BT all of which I would have to import. Apos Audio does not carry SonCoz but has the SMSL for $440, Topping for $470 and the Gustard for $500. There is another site called Audiophonics that sells the SMSL for €430, SonCoz for €500, Topping for €550 but they do not have the X16 in stock (they have the A18 for €560).
A friend of mine tells me that these "Chi-Fi" DACs (his terminology, not mine) are not reliable and that I should consider Denafrips Ares II or RME ADI-2 DAC. He has a Matrix Audio Element.
Please advise.
1. Are Topping, SMSL, Gustard and SonCoz reliable? or should I ignore them and get the Ares II or RME?
2. Is there a huge difference between the D50s and the D70BT, SU9, X16, SGD1 etc?
3. Between the SU9, D70BT, SGD1 and X16 which one would be preferred?
Thanks.