Popular Post firedog Posted October 9, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 9, 2020 1 hour ago, quanghuy147 said: Hello, I currently have a DAC and streamer setup which cost about $3000. Recently, I bought a turntable with phono preamp, which cost $600. I compared the sound by some familiar songs and found that the turntable combo sound 90% detailed as the DAC combo but it is more emotional, involving and better soundstage. The only problem with this turntable option is that I don't have LPs and I don't want to spend $$$$ to build an LP library that can make me happy as I am now with Tidal. I have a friend, he is a fan of turntables and recently switched to Reel to reel. He also has a Wavelength DAC cost $3000 but he said there was a big gap between his digital and his analog sources. My question is if there is any higher end DAC and streamer combo that can beat turntable and phono preamp combo (let's say the budget for each combo is $10,000)? Or there is always something that is limited only to analog sources like turntables, reel to reel and this makes no DAC can replace them? Thank you. Huy Not a question with a clear answer. Some people will tell you there isn't a combo that will get you where you want to go; others might prefer your $3000 digital combo to your turntable setup - or even might prefer a less expensive digital combo. Others have a different, more complex point of view. There are audiophiles who generally prefer digital over analog and there are those who generally prefer analog. That seems to be an individual preference or taste, and not something that switching audio HW necessarily changes. If I was you, I'd listen to some more digital setups at some different price points. You might find one you prefer to the turntable setup, or you might find that even the more expensive digital combos don't sound better to you than what you already have. There is not necessarily a direct connection between how expensive the digital setup is and how you will perceive it's sound quality. If you conclude that you simply prefer that analog sound, another possibility that might appeal to you is adding a tube buffer or preamp to your digital chain, or finding a DAC with tube based output. Some listeners find that adding tubes into the chain "solves the problem" for them, as it were. mav52, DuckToller and quanghuy147 3 Main listening (small home office): Main setup: Surge protector +>Isol-8 Mini sub Axis Power Strip/Isolation>QuietPC Low Noise Server>Roon (Audiolense DRC)>Stack Audio Link II>Kii Control>Kii Three (on their own electric circuit) >GIK Room Treatments. Secondary Path: Server with Audiolense RC>RPi4 or analog>Cayin iDAC6 MKII (tube mode) (XLR)>Kii Three . Bedroom: SBTouch to Cambridge Soundworks Desktop Setup. Living Room/Kitchen: Ropieee (RPi3b+ with touchscreen) + Schiit Modi3E to a pair of Morel Hogtalare. All absolute statements about audio are false Link to comment
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