Which Future DAC for a Specialized Use Case?

[Jud]

One of these years I suppose I'll want a new DAC, though I'm very pleased with the one I have now. I'm asking the question below as a start of my research.

 

The way I use a DAC is fairly specialized: I send it DSD512, so I bypass all the DAC's internal filtering. All I really use of a DAC is the final analog filter and the analog output circuitry. So which reasonably affordable DACs have very good parts, build quality and design in these areas? Is there anything to touch @Miska's DSC1 DIY DAC and variants (e.g., balanced versions) for near the price?

[barrows]

Right with ya Jud!  Although I might want to add analog volume control on board, and make sure it has a robust output stage for driving an amp directly.  my wish list:

 

Optical ethernet input only, no other inputs

Designed only to accept high rate DSD, DSD 256 and above

Discrete DSD conversion approach

No onboard oversampling or digital filtering

Ethernet input completely isolated from DAC section, with separate sub enclosure/shielding and transformer

Separately buffered balanced and single ended outputs (for this who might like to run a sub)

Analog volume via resistor ladder chip (optional, with bypass)

 

The above does not exist.  I have a bunch of experience with different DSD DAC approaches to know that they have a sound I really, really like.  The DSC-2 approach is great, but some other discrete DSD approaches also sound fantastic to me.  Most do not add a volume control, which is a shame.  I kind of lean away from Chinese product, otherwise i would suggest Holo Audio...

I wish they made a DSD only version using the DSD converter from the May, without the onboard oversampling processor (cheap AKM chip), and just reduced it into a single box, with only DSD they should still be able to have a trick power supply in a  single chassis.

You might check out the Star Pulse DACs, they use the DSC-2 approach.  Some of the DIY versions of the DSC-2 are pretty good, but hey are a bit involved to get working just the way one wants, but if you are using a preamp, they are a really good approach, check out the threads at DIY audio, i have one of Pavel's boards (DIY member "ppy" from Russia).  And now there is a guy developing what looks like a really promising version, but i do not know if he'll make bare boards available, or completed boards, or where he is gong to take it. 

[firedog]

Lampizator used to make a DSD only DAC that didn't use a chip to convert DSD.

You might be able to get one used, or maybe they would make one for you if you asked.

 

What kind of budget are you thinking of?

[ericuco]

Several months ago, I was in search for a DSD only DAC and ended up with a Holo Cyan (DSD version) which I like for the most part. I have a decent "pop" in the left channel that occurs when I start playing music (Roon > HQP > DSD256), something I have been trying to resolve with the Holo and Kitsune guys (both have provided REALLY good support). Besides the "pop" issue, the SQ is really good at DSD256, better than my Twisted Pear Audio Buffalo IIISE Pro (ES9028)DAC. However, I would be interested in a DSD DAC like is outlined above. Fiber optic input would be nice as my network for my music area is completely fiber optic.

[Jud]

10 hours ago, firedog said:

Lampizator used to make a DSD only DAC that didn't use a chip to convert DSD.

You might be able to get one used, or maybe they would make one for you if you asked.

 

What kind of budget are you thinking of?

 

Not thinking of the near term, just storing up information for whenever I might want to do something. So I'm not concerned about price so much as circuit design and parts quality in the final analog filter and output stage.

 

I'm interested in the possibility of directly driving an amp, though I'm agnostic about an analog vs. software volume control. If a software volume control doesn't sound better than the volume knob on my preamp, so be it; and equally so for the reverse situation. Direct optical Ethernet input would be nice, but it's up to the audio gods whether that will be available at the time I feel like upgrading.

 

I'm going to have to have a look at DIY Audio to see what names are mentioned with regard to parts for the analog filter stage; if anyone here ( @barrows, @Miska, @Superdad, others?) has suggestions in that respect, I'll gladly read them.