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RE: Pairing my La Scala Spkrs, Rachel AMP and DAC (Read 88 times)
bsac
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RE: Pairing my La Scala Spkrs, Rachel AMP and DAC
Today at 06:03:35
 
I need some recommendations on what DAC to pair with my Klipsch La Scala Speakers (ALK x-overs) which are powered by my Decware Rachel amp.

I am currently using a Wiim Ultra Music streamer which has an ESS neutral sounding Sigma based chip. I suppose it's OK? I have never tried any other DAC so I don't know. There have been lots of raves about R2R DACS and R2R TUBE DACS but I was wondering if that too much warmth to the point of getting sloppy?

I'm seeking recommendations on finding a DAC that is revealing and has great soundstage depth with lots of harmonics for fatigue-free listening.

Anyone have ideas?
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Wiim Ulta
Turntable Pioneer PL-51A
Decware Rachel w/4 outputs including sub out
Klipsch LaScala (1980) with ALK x-over
James Loudspeaker 15" EMB-1500 Subwoofer
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whynotnothing
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Re: Pairing my La Scala Spkrs, Rachel AMP and DAC
Reply #1 - Today at 09:21:16
 
ESS does sound neutral and is alright.

My 2 cents is that I've used ESS then moved to Denafrips Ares II and it added what you're looking for - more depth and fatigue-free listening.

E.g. compared to Topping, on congested parts of tracks it had just a smidge less resolution, but nowhere near to the point of being sloppy.

I'm not sure if its R2R related, or there's some DSP going on there (supposedly there is), but either way it sounds good and better than ESS.

I would also perhaps explore the DACs with tube output stage that use some older R2R chips. For me the game is less about coloration (I can add more warmth easily by switching input tubes in my amp), more about the depth of the recording.

YMMV the effect a DAC can have depends of course on rest of the chain etc
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Lon
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Re: Pairing my La Scala Spkrs, Rachel AMP and DAC
Reply #2 - Today at 10:53:58
 
I'm not sure what your budget is but in the last two decades I've tried a handful of DACs (none mentioned in this thread however) and the one biggest bang for the buck and best sounding and flexible for me has been finding a used NAD Master Series M51 DAC. I found a used one for 500 dollars and since have seen two go for about that price used (this DAC was discontinued some years ago). It can serve as a preamp and has quite versatile inputs and outputs--single-ended, balanced outputs and an HDMI pass through, has two HDMI inputs, coaxial and optical inputs as well as AES/EBU and USB. And a very natural, dynamic sound.

Worth looking for in my opinion and one DAC I'd recommend.

A fair review: https://www.stereophile.com/content/nad-m51-direct-digital-da-converter
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HR-1,ZBIT,ZROCK3,SEWE300B; Rega RP3 all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD, DAC Mk II,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Reference spkrcbls; Mapleshade SamsonV3;VeraFi Audio cpts VooDoo:Cremona+Amati interconnects;Stack EQ; headphones:Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori,Oppo PM1
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JHC
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Re: Pairing my La Scala Spkrs, Rachel AMP and DAC
Reply #3 - Today at 12:37:29
 
I recently posted about this in the digital forum, but I was using a Fiio streamer for a bit (with R2r DAC) and switched to a Cambridge MXN10 and found it to be a very worthy upgrade at a relatively little amount of money. Those are streamer combos but both can be purchased as DAC only. The Cambridge uses ESS chips but I noticed a much deeper soundstage and a nicer separation of instrumentation. I also have a Geshelli JNGO3 hooked up to my desktop and I very much enjoy that as well, it's very smooth and detailed. Geshelli is similar to Decware in that it is a small company making things by hand and you can email and ask questions. This is a huge bonus for me.

I agree with some of the comments about DAC + system pairing in that I personally prefer a very transparent DAC and allow the amps/tubes/speakers/headphones to adjust the specifics.  

If I ever upgrade, I might consider Musical Paradise, so that might be worth looking into. There are so many DACs, some very good for very little money, some probably very good for a whole lot of money. Should you want, you could consider taking advantage of the Amazon return policy and order a couple to test out.
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Main: Sumiko Starling > VPI Signature Classic > Aric Audio Super MC/MM > Pine Tree Audio 67+ > SE84UFO + DGR Jr. > Omega Super 8 HO XRS
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Music: F♯A♯∞, Life Metal, Nirvana Unplugged, Timewave Zero, Nebraska
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JHC
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Re: Pairing my La Scala Spkrs, Rachel AMP and DAC
Reply #4 - Today at 12:42:17
 
Another note, if you want to continue using a streamer/DAC combo it might be worth thinking about how they stream. Some connect via bluetooth which will almost always compress files. Others connect directly through their own interface or with Tidal connect, etc. with varying degrees of usability/stability. I spent way too long reading reviews and articles about various ways to stream and am very happy with the Cambridge interface.
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Main: Sumiko Starling > VPI Signature Classic > Aric Audio Super MC/MM > Pine Tree Audio 67+ > SE84UFO + DGR Jr. > Omega Super 8 HO XRS
Desk: Geshelli JNGO3 > Erish 3 Pro > ZMF Verite Open
Music: F♯A♯∞, Life Metal, Nirvana Unplugged, Timewave Zero, Nebraska
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CAJames
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Re: Pairing my La Scala Spkrs, Rachel AMP and DAC
Reply #5 - Today at 15:17:44
 
So how much do you want to spend? And do you want a standalone DAC or a DAC + streamer?

If you're looking for standalone I'm a big fan of Denafrips. Whatever DAC is in your price range will certainly give you "revealing" and "soundstage." But honestly there are a gazillion DACs out there an I don't think any of them are bad. I needed a cheap DAC recently, long story, and was shocked, SHOCKED! how good the hundred buck Topping D10 sounded compared to my usual digital which costs dozens of times more.

Also, FWIW, I don't stream myself but I agree with JHC that how you stream is every bit as important a the hardware you're using.

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[Volumio | Jay's CDT2 MRK3] -> Denafrips Terminator 2 + Gaia
Sumiko Pearwood -> Mapleknoll Athena -> Luxman SUT -> Mapletree Phono 3E
STR-1002 -> Woo WA22 -> 2x UFO25s, balanced monos
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Tommy Freefall
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Re: Pairing my La Scala Spkrs, Rachel AMP and DAC
Reply #6 - Today at 16:27:00
 
If you don't need high res - the CD level / Redbook only Border Patrol DAC sounded fantastic with my Rachael amp and Zu Audio speakers.
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Rachael SE34I.5
Naim Nait 50
Benchmark AHB2
Zu Audio DWX Supreme
ERRx
ZRock2
Tascam CD-240
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Bluesound Node
Zu Audio Mission speaker cables, Decware I/Cs
PI Audio MiniBUSS
Zenhead, Grado 325e
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whynotnothing
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Re: Pairing my La Scala Spkrs, Rachel AMP and DAC
Reply #7 - Today at 16:42:14
 
Yeah even topping D10 in my friends system sounded great indeed. Cambridge Audio stuff also generally did great as far as my preferences are concerned. So there's no strict playbook here, like R2R tubes

I would correct myself from saying "better", its just that Ares was to my taste/preference.

I'm thinking another good approach and what some people do, at least when aiming for fatigue-free listening is, DAC with features tailored to your liking and then placing some line transformer between the DAC (e.g. WE 111C) and the amp.

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