Amirm, are you (or anyone) familiar with the Sheffield Labs / A2TB test disc? (It’s available on Amazon Music HD to stream in FLAC) Sans any test equipment that you have (really enjoy all the measurement based reviews btw), I’ve used it over the years to confirm improvements (or not) in my system. There is a track of digital black (41) which is useful to get a baseline of system noise floor with the volume turned up to max. It also has a series of tracks (33-40) progressively reducing the recorded volume of a track down to -70dB. This would seem an excellent way to hear the difference between great and poor DACs.
It’s a HT/Stereo system compromise, but I use a Denon X4400H as a preamp (in 11.1 mode which disconnects the amps) feeding a Parasound A21 and Tekton Pendragons. So, my SINAD is at best in the 90’s. With the volume on max, the -70db track is 50/50 noise and moderately distorted music. So, I got a Topping DX3Pro (106 SINAD) and wired it direct to A21 expecting a decent improvement on the -70dB track. To my disappointment, it was much fainter and even more distorted. Any thoughts on why? Maybe the track is recorded distorted? Maybe you could analyze it and see. Also wonder what it sounds like with your Mark Levinson DAC? According to the booklet that came with the test CD, a good system should reproduce the track clearly.
It’s a HT/Stereo system compromise, but I use a Denon X4400H as a preamp (in 11.1 mode which disconnects the amps) feeding a Parasound A21 and Tekton Pendragons. So, my SINAD is at best in the 90’s. With the volume on max, the -70db track is 50/50 noise and moderately distorted music. So, I got a Topping DX3Pro (106 SINAD) and wired it direct to A21 expecting a decent improvement on the -70dB track. To my disappointment, it was much fainter and even more distorted. Any thoughts on why? Maybe the track is recorded distorted? Maybe you could analyze it and see. Also wonder what it sounds like with your Mark Levinson DAC? According to the booklet that came with the test CD, a good system should reproduce the track clearly.