Where to go from here - DAC /AMP Etc...?

[con7711]

missed the computer part... got that he wanted to not use the phone or BT.

What DAC would you recommend?

 

[con7711]

M

It's not really a matter of sacrificing quality of other sources, but rather what you want to do to obtain Tidal with MQA (or decide to live without it), or what other digital sources you may want to utilize. What kind of budget are you thinking about?

I was thinking was a DAC as well but then I saw he yahama 303 or 803 and figured that would solve the issue and an amp upgrade to boot. If it is an amp upgrade?

 

[ryanosaur]

What DAC would you recommend?

I can't recommend anything, as I don't use any external DACs.
Searched my emails for the connection to my host for the Phil 3 audition... his set up:
Schiit Yggdrasil DAC and FirstWatt F7

 

[lovinthehd]

I was thinking was a DAC as well but then I saw he yahama 303 or 803 and figured that would solve the issue and an amp upgrade to boot. If it is an amp upgrade?

Well both the 303 and 803 are more powerful amps than yours, but do you need more power particularly? Neither can provide the MQA feature for Tidal that I can see, but if you stream from your computer that's enabled that would work, but so would a separate dac with your current gear.

 

[PENG]

Budget is around 500-700

If you can stretch it to $750, the Yamaha R-N803 probably can do all (except mqa I guess) the things you listed.

 

[John Parks]

If you can stretch it to $750, the Yamaha R-N803 probably can do all (except mqa I guess) the things you listed.

Ah, yes, but the '803 is never that price at A4L!
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrn803bl/yamaha-r-n803-2-ch-x-100-watts-networking-stereo-receiver/1.html
Assuming @con7711 does not have an issue with refurbs...

 

[con7711]

If you can stretch it to $750, the Yamaha R-N803 probably can do all (except mqa I guess) the things you listed.

Think the 803 would be better then the vintage NAD? Specifically for vinyl?

 

[Doge]

I'm kinda new to this too , but jumped in full steam.
I started with a separate DAC / Streamer - Bluesound and it is supposed to unfold Tidal MQA. I think that is a great deal for < $500 (or $375).
Qobuz is offering non MQA. Arguments abound on which is better. I have both. I think the Tidal uses the software to pump up sound. It is more colorful. I hear a difference, but have not determined my preference.
Players like Roon and Audirvana also shape the sound, so I don't know really what the original is, but I think it is less colored than the players. That being said - I like color.

I also have a dragonfly red DAC I plug in my USB port. It provides a good sound.

My old ears tell me <$700 gets your 98% of what <$7,000 does.

Some phones also have good DACs. The Samsung Note 9 is pretty good. Not as good as the Dragonfly, but good. I am using the Chord Qutest. I think I may have overpaid - but it looks great.

 

[PENG]

I'm kinda new to this too , but jumped in full steam.
I started with a separate DAC / Streamer - Bluesound and it is supposed to unfold Tidal MQA. I think that is a great deal for < $500 (or $375).
Qobuz is offering non MQA. Arguments abound on which is better. I have both. I think the Tidal uses the software to pump up sound. It is more colorful. I hear a difference, but have not determined my preference.
Players like Roon and Audirvana also shape the sound, so I don't know really what the original is, but I think it is less colored than the players. That being said - I like color.

I also have a dragonfly red DAC I plug in my USB port. It provides a good sound.

My old ears tell me <$700 gets your 98% of what <$7,000 does.

Some phones also have good DACs. The Samsung Note 9 is pretty good. Not as good as the Dragonfly, but good. I am using the Chord Qutest. I think I may have overpaid - but it looks great.

Agreed, but imo Dragonfly is a little like Bose, hyped up and over priced. There are much better value similar style DACs but not all are mqa ready.

 

[PENG]

Think the 803 would be better then the vintage NAD? Specifically for vinyl?

I don't think we can say it is better than "vintage NAD" as a blanket statement, but it should be better than your 7240 you have now in terms of specs for sure. Whether that "better" is audible to you or not, is unknown.

 

[Doge]

Agreed, but imo Dragonfly is a little like Bose, hyped up and over priced. There are much better value similar style DACs but not all are mqa ready.

Which? The 3.5mm jack on my Samsung Note 9 puts out great sound. I was surprised till I read they put some quality DAC chips in there. I have read the LG is better. So it gets to the point (I'm at it) that when I travel I just use the phone. Tidal, Qubuz both have phone apps. I have this USB Player app on the phone that plays both.
I am more confused about which player and software unfolding than hardware.

I guess my point is I find myself using a medium high end DAC or my phone. I doubt I'd buy another USB DAC as the Dragonfly works. And as a Newbie I was not so worried about a component that cost $300 being over marketed.

What I started with was pretty close to what the OP was asking. I got the Monoprice "Pure Tube Amp" (it isn't, but that is what it is called). The Bluesound iNode with TIDAL. Now...I'd just use my laptop and the Firefly, or something you recommend - or a phone to that same lower cost tube amp. Speakers - now that is a problem figuring out. But I think the $700 is doable.

 

[con7711]

I don't think we can say it is better than "vintage NAD" as a blanket statement, but it should be better than you 7240 you have now in terms of specs for sure. Whether that "better" is audible to you or not, is unknown.

Appreciate this