Standalone DAC vs. CD-Player with DAC

[Lionel Berger]

Hi there,

I'm looking to add a DAC between my Bluesound Node 2 and my Marantz amplifier, as the Bluesound Node's internal DAC is not sounding great.

Here are the two options I'm considering:
1. The Rega DAC at around 1000.- USD
2. The Vincent CD-S7 DAC at around 2500.- USD that will give me a CD player, which I'm missing

Couldn't find many reviews of the Vincent's DAC performance on internet. Anyone can share their experience and opinion? How would the Vincent's DAC compare with the Rega's?
Any other recommendations in these price ranges?

Thanks,
Lionel Berger, Switzerland

 

[sterling shoote]

Stand alone DAC, or player DAC will preclude you to a "stereo" experience. Consider a digital pre/pro, then you have pretty much all conversion possibilities covered including multi-channel SACD via bitstream from player thru HDMI connection to pre/pro. Why be limited to stereo EIC 958, Toslink, and USB?

 

[lovinthehd]

Why do you think it is the DAC particularly?

 

[Lionel Berger]

Why do you think it is the DAC particularly?

It is a known weakness of the Bluesound Node 2, great HIFI streamer but limited by its DAC. I've been told that connecting it to a Rega DAC or even a Naim will completely change the sound experience

 

[Lionel Berger]

Stand alone DAC, or player DAC will preclude you to a "stereo" experience. Consider a digital pre/pro, then you have pretty much all conversion possibilities covered including multi-channel SACD via bitstream from player thru HDMI connection to pre/pro. Why be limited to stereo EIC 958, Toslink, and USB?

I'm willing stay within the high fidelity stereo world, with my Marantz PM-7001. So these are not limitations, they fit to my needs. I'd rather be looking for advice on the DAC choice.

 

[<eargiant]

Hi there,

I'm looking to add a DAC between my Bluesound Node 2 and my Marantz amplifier, as the Bluesound Node's internal DAC is not sounding great.

Here are the two options I'm considering:
1. The Rega DAC at around 1000.- USD
2. The Vincent CD-S7 DAC at around 2500.- USD that will give me a CD player, which I'm missing

Couldn't find many reviews of the Vincent's DAC performance on internet. Anyone can share their experience and opinion? How would the Vincent's DAC compare with the Rega's?
Any other recommendations in these price ranges?

Thanks,
Lionel Berger, Switzerland

I have the inexpensive Meridian Explorer2 and it sounds pretty good with line-out going right to my amplifier. I'm in the process of deciding between the Benchmark DAC3 HGC & the Mytek Brooklyn. Let me know if you have any thoughts either way.

Explorer2
http://www.stereophile.com/content/meridian-explorer2-da-headphone-amplifier#f7jCYAtvCpOtQPAy.97

Mytek Brooklyn
http://www.stereophile.com/content/mytek-hifi-brooklyn-da-processor–headphone-amplifier#bjIFbbXc5jqxgvK6.97

Benchmark DAC2 HGC (the older version)
http://www.stereophile.com/content/benchmark-dac2-hgc-da-processorheadphone-amplifier#hwDr2M2rxJicyj9v.97

 

[PENG]

I don't think too many on this forum are familiar with those two DACs, you may want to try other forums. Are you open to other DACs?

 

[lovinthehd]

It is a known weakness of the Bluesound Node 2, great HIFI streamer but limited by its DAC. I've been told that connecting it to a Rega DAC or even a Naim will completely change the sound experience

I seriously doubt the "completely change" thing, it's just a dac; if they function properly they should be relatively equal aside from perhaps noise floor issues. Since you don't have first hand knowledge if it's the DAC causing your unhappiness or not, why don't you get both the Rega and Naim and pick the one you like better after actually using them rather than go on some blogged recommendation? Who is providing the recommendation?

 

[Irvrobinson]

It is a known weakness of the Bluesound Node 2, great HIFI streamer but limited by its DAC. I've been told that connecting it to a Rega DAC or even a Naim will completely change the sound experience

Known by whom? The Bluesound's DAC looks like it's probably the TI PCM1795, which is definitely not going to cause audible problems, so whatever audiophile rumors are going around strike me as BS. What can cause matching problems are cheap and weak op-amps for the analog line-stage outputs. Just looking at the Bluesound web site, they don't publish any output level specs (like volts into what impedance), and I don't see any reviews that have measured the analog outputs. You didn't mention the model number of your Marantz amp, but I seriously doubt even the analog output stage is a problem. I think this is all in your head.

I've heard the Node 2 in a friend's system (admittedly not a really ambitious system, but overall pretty decent), and I heard nothing that led me to believe the Node 2 could be improved by any DAC.

 

[lovinthehd]

You didn't mention the model number of your Marantz amp, but I seriously doubt even the analog output stage is a problem. I think this is all in your head.

.

See post 5....Marantz PM7001

 

[Irvrobinson]

See post 5....Marantz PM7001

Thanks, missed that.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks, missed that.

I also took a look for some output specs on the Bluesound unit, didn't find any. The line input sensitivity on the PM7001 is a pretty normal 200mV. Saw comments from many happy users of the Bluesound with both analog and digital output....

 

[sterling shoote]

I'm willing stay within the high fidelity stereo world, with my Marantz PM-7001. So these are not limitations, they fit to my needs. I'd rather be looking for advice on the DAC choice.

Well, how about getting the Marantz NA-6005 DAC/Network Audio Player to replace the Bluesound? I also see that the Marantz NA-8005 DAC/Network Audio Player is on sale from Amazon right now for just $599.99. This is a player that lists for $1199.99. These DAC/Network Players have highly regarded DAC's.

 

[PENG]

After a quick search, my best guess is that Note 2 has upgraded the DAC from probably the CS4350 to a PCM5122. So in theory there are plenty of external DAC that can do much better in terms of specifications. I know people say the chip is just once piece, and implementation is more important, but all else being equal (can only take an educated guess on that), the ones with better chip are preferred.

Based on specs only, the Rega DAC-R and The Vincent CD-S7 are not impressive at all, not for the money anyway.

 

[Irvrobinson]

After a quick search, my best guess is that Note 2 has upgraded the DAC from probably the CS4350 to a PCM5122.

What makes you so sure it's a PCM5122 versus a PCM1795? Do you own one?

 

[lovinthehd]

This review says it is "now" a PCM5122...http://www.audiostream.com/content/bluesound-node-2#vyyCXwzBV6UY0GBW.97

 

[<eargiant]

it's just a dac;

 

[PENG]

What makes you so sure it's a PCM5122 versus a PCM1795? Do you own one?

Not so sure (I did say it was my best guess) but quite sure based on a few sources, two of them from their support group, the one linked below seems most credible as it was from their help desk. Also based on their publish specs, if it was the 1795, the THD and DNR might have been much better.

https://helpdesk.bluesound.com/discussions/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2211

 

[<eargiant]

Lionel I think PENG is right, this may not be the right forum.

Go to hifihaven.org and post the question there. Tell them I sent you. There's a guy there that goes by JohnVF. I believe he has (or had) a Bluesound. He has a lot of experience in this hobby so I think his input is worth listening to.

 

[yepimonfire]

I'm willing stay within the high fidelity stereo world, with my Marantz PM-7001. So these are not limitations, they fit to my needs. I'd rather be looking for advice on the DAC choice.

The most expensive DAC with the most snake oil will sound exactly the same as the cheapo in a $30 dvd player. Spend that money on things that really do improve sound quality like speakers or room treatment.

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