Topic: What DAC are you using?

[Thelonious]

Really enjoyed reading this. It’s funny how a setup you didn’t expect much from can end up opening your ears in a new way. What you described lines up with my own experience too — small two-ways in the right spot can create a shockingly precise image. Compared to something big and lively like La Scalas, it’s a very different kind of presentation. Fun in its own way, but not really about depth.

Your reaction to the DAC swap also rings true. Not every DAC changes imaging, but some definitely shape the sense of space. The Aries II has that smoother, more open feel to it, so I’m not surprised it helped the Rainmakers stretch out. When the speakers already image well, those differences pop out fast.

And yes — the “curse” of good imaging is suddenly hearing every little imbalance in older recordings you were perfectly happy with before.

On my end, I’ve gone through a few DACs. I use a Topping D70 for everyday listening because it’s clean and predictable, and an MHDT Orchid in another system because it gives a softer, more spacious vibe that works well with smaller speakers. I don’t think there’s a single best DAC, but pairing the right one with the right system makes more of a difference than I used to think.

Thanks for posting this. It makes me want to pull some of my old speakers out of storage and play around again.

This really does mirror my experience. In particular, small standmounts can image well (when placed correctly of course) and that once you start using them then the difference in upstream components (and the recording chain and mic configuration) become really apparent. I find imaging a really fun rabbit hole and one of the the advantages of OMT 6 recordings for me is the ability to evenly spread the soundstage and adjust for the angular distorion.

Denafrips ARES 2 Ladder DAC. I have had alot of topping stuff, but this one tops them all

I really do think this DAC images particularly well of the few I've tried. I also find almost any external DAC, including ones in an audio interface or a MixPre, make a huge difference compared to ones built into a computer provided your speakers highlight the image.

[kindms]

grace sdac. i have the balanced out here in my office and unbalanced in the house.
I run the Grace SDAC balanced out in to a Grace M902 and then use that to drive the outlaw 2200 mono blocks.

ive been very happy with the dacs and pricepoint was "cheap"

[beroti_music]

I use a fiio m17 DAP wich serves as a DAP too.