DAC recommendation for my system?!?

[nyc_hifi]

Looking for a DAC that would play well with my system. Details on system signal chain below.

EverSolo A8 Streamer>PASS LABS XP20 Preamp>PASS LABS XA30.8 PWR>Klipsch Cornwall IV

Looking to go digital out of A8 into better DAC and hoping for a significant improvement to sound. Budget is flexible so send any reccomendations that you have experience with please. Thx

 

[boxerfan88]

If u wanna splurge, look at dCS..
If not, use the A8 internal DAC..

 

[voodooless]

The A8 is more than perfectly fine. Keep the money.

 

[staticV3]

If u wanna splurge, look at dCS..

Poorly engineered products, sold for exploitative prices, by morally bankrupt people.

What's not to like?

 

[staticV3]

Looking to go digital out of A8 into better DAC and hoping for a significant improvement to sound.

There are no DAC improvements to be had over the A8's built-in one.

If you want to improve your system, look into room correction, room treatment, or new speakers.

 

[jcarys]

Agreed, there's no need to add a DAC to the chain. But it begs the question, why do you need the Pass preamp? Why not run the Eversolo straight to your amp? No matter what configuration you end up with, the Cornwalls have far more distortion than anything in the lineup before them.

 

[antcollinet]

Looking to go digital out of A8 into better DAC and hoping for a significant improvement to sound.

You won't get it. The A8 dac is already amongst the best Dacs you can get, and is beyond transparent to human hearing. (Audibly perfect)

Even if you could find a better measuring DAC, it can't be "More transparent"

 

[Chrispy]

If u wanna splurge, look at dCS..
If not, use the A8 internal DAC..

Why dcs?

 

[nyc_hifi]

Good intel. Thanks. I'll save the money. I was really encouraged to put a high end dac in the chain and it would drastically improve the sound. basing this inquiry solely off that, nothing more really

 

[gvl]

Looking to go digital out of A8 into better DAC and hoping for a significant improvement to sound.

The only possible change in sound from here is the opposite of improvement.

 

[antcollinet]

Good intel. Thanks. I'll save the money. I was really encouraged to put a high end dac in the chain and it would drastically improve the sound. basing this inquiry solely off that, nothing more really

Who gave you that encouragement? Treat everything they advise you on with respect to audio a huge pinch of salt from now on.

They either don't know what they are talking about, or they are trying to sell you something by giving bad advice.

 

[boxerfan88]

Why dcs?

Because it’s the first thing/brand that came to my mind when I think of splurging on an expensive DAC.

 

[boxerfan88]

Poorly engineered products, sold for exploitative prices, by morally bankrupt people.

What's not to like?

Yeah, that’s why I got the second sentence in my post

 

[kemmler3D]

Just adding one more comment that the A8 already has a fantastic DAC built in, upgrading (except if there are connections you want and don't have) is basically not possible.

 

[Chrispy]

Because it’s the first thing/brand that came to my mind when I think of splurging on an expensive DAC.

Okay, yeah if throwing money at a non-problem, might be a good brand for that

 

[fritobugger]

Good intel. Thanks. I'll save the money. I was really encouraged to put a high end dac in the chain and it would drastically improve the sound. basing this inquiry solely off that, nothing more really

Better speakers are the best path to better sound or possibly room treatments but for that you really should have microphoned room measurements.