Long time lurker, first time poster.
I have been looking at upgrading my DAC for some time now, to hopefully get a better sound quality when streaming my music.
At present my path consists of:
Apple Airport Express (optical) --> Stello DA100 Signature (balanced XLR) --> DLS AMP One --> DLS M60
Sometimes I do connect with USB from my Mac to the Stello.
As the AE should be bit perfect, it seems to me that the weakest link atm is the Stello.
What I would like in a new DAC is balanced out, optical in, async USB (this is stille the best I presume) and no pre-amp or possibly passthrough/fixed line out.
I have been eyeing stuff like Topping and SMSL, but it doesn't seem to be possible to circumvent the pre-amps in these or am I missing something?
Budget is 200-400€, can anyone pass on some advice?
I have been looking at upgrading my DAC for some time now, to hopefully get a better sound quality when streaming my music.
At present my path consists of:
Apple Airport Express (optical) --> Stello DA100 Signature (balanced XLR) --> DLS AMP One --> DLS M60
Sometimes I do connect with USB from my Mac to the Stello.
As the AE should be bit perfect, it seems to me that the weakest link atm is the Stello.
What I would like in a new DAC is balanced out, optical in, async USB (this is stille the best I presume) and no pre-amp or possibly passthrough/fixed line out.
I have been eyeing stuff like Topping and SMSL, but it doesn't seem to be possible to circumvent the pre-amps in these or am I missing something?
Budget is 200-400€, can anyone pass on some advice?