Advice on a new 256 or 512 DSD DAC

[aps]

I’m looking to purchase a new DAC as the older Lite Audio DAC-83 has developed an issue and return / repair to China isn’t, I believe, merited. My thinking is to jump into the world of DSD – using HQ Player to up-sample PCM to 256 / 512 DSD. The set-up will involve a dedicated Roon / HQ Player server specified to support the conversion with a Windows-based NAA that will connect to the DAC via USB or, if supported, i2S. (Might re-image NAA as Linux if I’m bold.)

 

So, with advice from the HQ Player thread, I’ve identified the T+A DAC 8 DSD as an option for true discrete 1-bit chip-less conversion which is at the upper limit of the budget. The other options look to be Mytek Brookyn , exaSound E22 and Gustard X20U all of which seem to use SABRE DAC, along with upcoming iFi DSD DAC Pro. (I’m ruling out the more expensive options of Lampizator, Playback Designs etc.)

 

My take is that all these will meet my simple functional requirements but don’t have a real view on the sound quality issues. I’m a bit hesitant at stretching the budget to T+A DAC 8 DSD given how fast this space moves but the reports that 256 to 512 being a big step as interesting as it is counter intuitive to me. The safe decision seems to be the Mytek which I can power with my JS-2 PSU with the iFi DSD DAC Pro seem to be dark horses. It’d be great to hear from others who have compared these various devices when fed with high bit-rate DSD.

[aps]

I will give it a try.

 

First, IMHO cross the Gustard off your list. While it punches above its price it is not in the same league as the best of the others, even after tweaking. And in order to get the best out of it you will need to do a lot of major tweaking.

 

I owned the E20 MK III with the .082 Clock. Not quite the E22 MK II but close. The E22 MK II is really good. But be prepared to spend some money on a really good external power supply to get the best out of it. That is what I did with my E20.

Now the difference of the E20 MK III .082 vs the DAC 8 DSD? Go with the DAC 8 DSD, even in DSD256.

 

I heard the Mytek Brooklyn. But again, you need to spend money on a really good external power supply. And I mean $600-$800 but you already have the JS-2. With a really good one it is a rally worthy contender. But, the DAC 8 DSD beats it too when it comes to DSD256. Not by much but still sounds better at DSD256.

 

When you add DSD512 into the picture it is NOT a contest at all. The T+A DAC 8 DSD is in another league. Yes, it is that big of a step, vs from DSD64 to DSD128 or even DSD128 to DSD256.

 

As far as the iFi DSD Pro, ?!? Who knows. They will not confirm or deny any features, price or when it will be available. Last iFi said was July. But that has slipped several times. And most likely will again. My guess is late August at best and late Nov at worst. And I mean when you can actually have one, not order.

I am not saying it is not going to be a really good DAC. Just that it is a long guessing game.

 

So, IMHO, if the T+A DAC 8 DSD is in your budget and you want the best sound for the money that is the way to go.

 

If it is too high then go with the Mytek Brooklyn or wait and see what iFi ends up offering if you can wait, that long.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the comprehensive post! Not sure how long I can wait as the current DAC is on it's last legs.

 

The Dac 8, like the Lampi, is 2 Dacs in one box. The PCM section is different from the DSD digital section.

 

If someone is asking for a 256 or 512 capable DSD Dac, it is HIGHLY likely that they want to employ Jussi's luscious upsampling algorithm to mate with a discrete chipless implementation. Going for a Dac chipped DSD solution IMHO would thus be folly.

 

Yes, the plan is to use the up-sampling algorithms from HQ Player. Hence the interest in a discrete chip-less implementation. I'm trying to track down pricing in Australia for the T+A DAC 8 DSD but suspect that it might have to be purchased direct from T+A in Europe.

 

So would an entry level Lampizator DSD only DAC sounds better than the T+A DAC 8 DSD ?

 

I'd discounted the Lampizator range on the basis that these got quite expensive if one wants balanced outputs (XLR) and >= 256 DSD but I'll take another look.