Need help choosing a DAC for my setup

[escaron]

This will be the first DAC I own. My current set up is Musical Paradise MP301 integrated tube amp and Axiom M3 bookshelves. From what I've read about these speakers for the most part they're considered fairly neural (slightly warm) and resolving of what's upstream from them. I'm not looking for an overly warm DAC or an "analog" sounding DAC, I think already get that from the tubes and I have a separate LP set up if I want that kind of sound. For the most part I just want a DAC that will be accurate to the original recording. I don't mind slightly warm or even slightly bright, but I don't think I want another tube DAC for example.

I don't listen through headphones so no use for DACs that have a headphone amp (mp301 already has that covered). If the DAC is good and happens to offer that feature, that's fine, but I don't want to be paying extra for something I won't use. Price is a consideration, if I can save a couple hundred $ to spend elsewhere like on cables or a power conditioner that's great too.

I will be listening about 50/50 between spotify and flac files through foobar > wasapi PCM > DAC. I don't care for DSD support as I don't have anything in that format.

I've narrowed down my options to the following DACs (listed in order of preference), prices in CAD as that's where I'm located (these are based on what I've seen online through various audiomarts).

I'm wondering if anyone can chime in and help me make a choice. Any help appreciated!

New Schiit Bifrost 4490 - ~$600CAD (when you count shipping and duties) - this is my first choice primarily because it seems to get glowing reviews online, the DAC is considered accurate and neutral which sounds like it would pair well with the rest of my system. It's also the least expensive DAC on the list (and the only one I can afford new). There's also the option in the future for upgrades from Schiit or to move to multibit (I'm sort of ruling out multibit to start as I'm not entirely sold on the benefit vs. 4490 for the extra $300CAD that it would cost me and I've heard that it adds a warmer more tube like tone to the DAC which I'm not necessarily looking for)

Used Benchmark DAC1 HDR - ~$800CAD - second choice because in the past it seems to have been the "benchmark" for DACs around $1k, my concern is how quickly technology becomes obsolete and whether something that was considered state of the art 3-4 years ago would still outperform a Bifrost for example. It's also a bit more expensive. From what I read it seems to produce the kind of sound I'm looking for and I like that I have the option of using it as pre-amp in the future (I have a pair of SS mono block amps that eventually I want to put together into a separate stereo system and it would be nice to re-purpose the DAC1 for that a couple years down the road)

Used Ayre Q-9 (non DSD) - $800CAD - I've heard amazing reviews of this unit, but same as the DAC1 above, I'm just worried that I'll be paying more for arguably obsolete tech..although again, I don't know how quickly DAC tech changes, it seems like a lot of DACs from 10 years ago are still relevant today, so maybe it doesn't change that much at all

Tied for last choice (Used Matrix X-Sabre - $700CAD, Used Teac UD-501 - $600CAD, Used Audiolab M-DAC - $650)

Thanks!

 

[Pogre]

Good thing you came here. Forget fancy cables. Any competently made speaker cable will sound just as good as the $1000 a foot stuff. They're a hocus pocus money grab. Also, power conditioners are rarely truly needed, though you will read otherwise.

As far as DACs, I'm not an expert, but I'm very happy with the one in my av receiver. Most of what I see posted and a few articles say the same of DACs as cables. There's no need to break the bank on one. If you're looking to refine your sound I'd look at new speakers.

 

[killdozzer]

Older members here said these things numerous times. Sometimes people will even get a bit tired of the same ol' same ol'. You shouldn't take it personally if you get it straight forward. In the end, it is your money these people might save.

@Pogre said it short and clear. People here don't support the notion of "conditioning the electricity to result in cello sounding like a cello". You have the holly trinity; listening room, speakers, quality recordings. Then some parts may have smaller role to play; DAC's need to meet the minimum requirements. After that you're throwing your money into the wind. Then you have these cables and conditioners... Even if there is a difference (which almost nobody here supports and haven't been proven to a satisfying level), the biggest supporters of this notion can't always detect it. So why pay through your nose for it?

It's a good thing you want to cut the cost of your DAC. You can even go lower than 600CAD and have a decent DAC.

 

[agarwalro]

DACs, cables, power conditioners, "transports", processors and amps, etc. must not have a sonic signature. If they do, they're malfunctioning. I make no exceptions for tube based designs.

I will be listening about 50/50 between spotify and flac files through foobar > wasapi PCM > DAC. I don't care for DSD support as I don't have anything in that format.

How are you getting sounds to the amp now? Is there something you feel is not faithful to the audio being played?