I want an opinion on a DAC that produces great sound. RME ADI-2 DAC FS , EverSolo Z8 , Topping D90SE !

[Ivailo]

Hello everyone
I want advice and what kind of DAC should I get?
I've settled on these three listed above.
Advice and recommendations and is there anyone more suitable for me.I use a Yamaha CD player, a Cambridge Audio CXA81 Mk II, a Polk P100 and a Yamaha subwoofer.
I also listen to a lot of music on the TV via Spotify.

In general, I want to improve the sound quality.And maybe RME with the equalizer function is cheating me.But people with more experience and practice with these DACs will say.

Thank you very much.Ivo

 

[Scrivs]

If it were my hard-earned cash, RME, 100%

 

[win]

Just get one that has the features you need. High end DAC performance is basically a cheap commodity by now.

 

[Sokel]

Topping LA90 is not a DAC,is an amplifier.

 

[Ivailo]

Topping LA90 is not a DAC,is an amplifier.

Thanks, I fixed it. Topping D90SE

 

[Blumlein 88]

Any with the features you want as already mentioned. Sounds like a streamer would be good for you. Maybe look at some of the SMSL streamers too.

Welcome to ASR as you look like a new member.

 

[Mort]

The cheapest if you don't care about features. All will produce the same audibly transparent sound.

 

[oleg87]

Spending $700-$1000 on a pretty basic DAC seems a bit crazy to me. Either buy the RME for the feature set or get something much cheaper. They will all produce the same sound.

 

[Purité Audio]

As has been mentioned, features, price, aesthetics, in terms of sound quality all three will be identical, the analogue in put on the A-8 could be useful if you have analogue sources.
Keith

 

[JeremyFife]

Hi,
You might want to look at the overall balance of your system: it's generally better to spend your money on the Speakers and not the electronics. £1000 on a DAC makes your system unbalanced.

DACs do not affect the sound, unless they are broken or really badly designed. EQ/PEQ/DSP on the other hand can have a very beneficial impact.

You could get a less expensive DAC, or a WiiM (Ultra or Pro Plus) with streaming and a great DAC and PEQ/room correction, and put the savings towards a speaker upgrade later on. The WiiM Ultra gives you good subwoofer control, and HDMI for your TV too ... that would be my choice.
If you don't want a WiiM then there are plenty of £300 DACS that are fantastic, although you will miss out on PEQ

Nothing wrong with the Polks btw, it just doesn't make audio sense to put that much money into the electronics

 

[Ivailo]

Spending $700-$1000 on a pretty basic DAC seems a bit crazy to me. Either buy the RME for the feature set or get something much cheaper. They will all produce the same sound.

Thank you very much.

 

[Ivailo]

Hi,
You might want to look at the overall balance of your system: it's generally better to spend your money on the Speakers and not the electronics. £1000 on a DAC makes your system unbalanced.

DACs do not affect the sound, unless they are broken or really badly designed. EQ/PEQ/DSP on the other hand can have a very beneficial impact.

You could get a less expensive DAC, or a WiiM (Ultra or Pro Plus) with streaming and a great DAC and PEQ/room correction, and put the savings towards a speaker upgrade later on. The WiiM Ultra gives you good subwoofer control, and HDMI for your TV too ... that would be my choice.
If you don't want a WiiM then there are plenty of £300 DACS that are fantastic, although you will miss out on PEQ

Nothing wrong with the Polks btw, it just doesn't make audio sense to put that much money into the electronics

Sounds very good, I'll take a look, thanks

 

[Ivailo]

Spending $700-$1000 on a pretty basic DAC seems a bit crazy to me. Either buy the RME for the feature set or get something much cheaper. They will all produce the same sound.

Spending $700-$1000 on a pretty basic DAC seems a bit crazy to me. Either buy the RME for the feature set or get something much cheaper. They will all produce the same sound.

I can find a Topping D90SE MQA for $450.Is it worth it in your opinion and my Cambridge Audio CXA81 Mk II has a built-in DAC.Will it make much of a difference if I buy an external one and will I hear the difference?

 

[Ivailo]

Sounds very good, I'll take a look, thanks

I can find a Topping D90SE MQA for $450.Is it worth it in your opinion and my Cambridge Audio CXA81 Mk II has a built-in DAC.Will it make much of a difference if I buy an external one and will I hear the difference?

 

[Willem]

I can find a Topping D90SE MQA for $450.Is it worth it in your opinion and my Cambridge Audio CXA81 Mk II has a built-in DAC.Will it make much of a difference if I buy an external one and will I hear the difference?

You are highly unlikely to hear a difference.

 

[JeremyFife]

Your Amp has been reviewed here;

Cambridge CXA81 MKII Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Cambridge CXA81 MKII integrated stereo amplifier with digital inputs (USB, Toslink, Coax) and Bluetooth. It was kindly drop shipped by a member and costs US $1,199. There are no visible changes from the original CXA81 I tested. I *think* the...

audiosciencereview.com

Not bad at all as an amplifier but the DAC is not great.
Having said that, you still might not actually hear the difference if you add a new DAC - don't expect a huge improvement. Measurements show up differences that we cannot hear.

If you do get an external DAC, make sure you buy based on the features you want and don't just change for the sake of change. Even $450 is a lot if it doesn't actually add anything. Make sure that you are getting something you want.
I'd still value PEQ/DSP over absolute DAC measurement and think about the WiiM Ultra, but that's only my view.

Does your CD player have digital output? If not then you are using the player's DAC anyway

 

[Ivailo]

Your Amp has been reviewed here;

Cambridge CXA81 MKII Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Cambridge CXA81 MKII integrated stereo amplifier with digital inputs (USB, Toslink, Coax) and Bluetooth. It was kindly drop shipped by a member and costs US $1,199. There are no visible changes from the original CXA81 I tested. I *think* the...

audiosciencereview.com

Not bad at all as an amplifier but the DAC is not great.
Having said that, you still might not actually hear the difference if you add a new DAC - don't expect a huge improvement. Measurements show up differences that we cannot hear.

If you do get an external DAC, make sure you buy based on the features you want and don't just change for the sake of change. Even $450 is a lot if it doesn't actually add anything. Make sure that you are getting something you want.
I'd still value PEQ/DSP over absolute DAC measurement and think about the WiiM Ultra, but that's only my view.

Does your CD player have digital output? If not then you are using the player's DAC anyway

Thanks for the info.Yes, the CD player has an optical digital output.