Standalone DAC or a new amp

[Nikolaos]

My system comprises by a CXA81 amp, lumin u1 mini transport, qnap file server (running minimserver) and monitor audio silver 500 speakers. I was using rpi4 with volumio and the upgrade to lumin resulted tremendous sound quality. I am thinking about replacing the DAC of CXA81 by a standalone DAC (RME adi 2 DAC, Denafrips Ares II, chord qutest or.....) but I do not know the difference to SQ. Would it be better purchasing a better amp than purchasing a DAC that costs 1.000-1.500 euro ?

 

[ZolaIII]

My system comprises by a CXA81 amp, lumin u1 mini transport, qnap file server (running minimserver) and monitor audio silver 500 speakers. I was using rpi4 with volumio and the upgrade to lumin resulted tremendous sound quality. I am thinking about replacing the DAC of CXA81 by a standalone DAC (RME adi 2 DAC, Denafrips Ares II, chord qutest or.....) but I do not know the difference to SQ. Would it be better purchasing a better amp than purchasing a DAC that costs 1.000-1.500 euro ?

Geting better speakers and for a little more money you can get great ones such as Revel M106. Than you can think about better measuring power amplifier and 150$ DAC will just be enough regarding performance.

 

[Nikolaos]

Geting better speakers and for a little more money you can get great ones such as Revel M106. Than you can think about better measuring power amplifier and 150$ DAC will just be enough regarding performance.

Thanks, why do you prefer bookshelf than floorstanding. Just to inform you the room is about 60 sqm2 with sound insulation walls and french (elastic) ceiling roof. Power amplifier like ? and why a cheap cost DAC ?
regards
Nikos

 

[ZolaIII]

Thanks, why do you prefer bookshelf than floorstanding. Just to inform you the room is about 60 sqm2 with sound insulation walls and french (elastic) ceiling roof. Power amplifier like ? and why a cheap cost DAC ?
regards
Nikos

That whose just for example regarding speakers and reference to one's which can go to 96 dB without distortion based on what's measured so far hire.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/revel-m106-bookshelf-speaker-review.14363/
Why not a cheap DAC (150/300$ unbalanced/balanced) with great performance? You won't need even that much even with great hedaphones which can go both louder and deaper then speakers.
Amp...
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...and-measurements-of-hypex-nc400-diy-amp.5907/
Master reviews index to search it yourself what ever interests you.

 

[Nikolaos]

That whose just for example regarding speakers and reference to one's which can go to 96 dB without distortion based on what's measured so far hire.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/revel-m106-bookshelf-speaker-review.14363/
Why not a cheap DAC (150/300$ unbalanced/balanced) with great performance? You won't need even that much even with great hedaphones which can go both louder and deaper then speakers.
Amp...
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...and-measurements-of-hypex-nc400-diy-amp.5907/
Master reviews index to search it yourself what ever interests you.

Thanks for the reply, due to my hearing problem ""tinnitus"" I can not listen very loud music only on moderate volume. So, I can never understand if a distortion happens or not. So, I need an amp to be analytical on low volumes. I consider very mulch the Revel M106

 

[ZolaIII]

Actually forgot to add url to measurement index page in earlier post, sorry about that.
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/master-review-index.11398/