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Do you stream hi-res music or download hi-res tracks? We want your opinions!
Best DAC Pre Amp for Cyrus System
- Thread starter Pdewhurst1964
- Start date
For some reason my message/question did not get displayed. Anyway, my question is; having upgraded my speakers I am looking to improve my source. Do you think I should stick with cyrus and pick up a second hand/discounted DAC XP+ or opt for something more upto date such as the Audiolab, Naim V1 or Nad M51. I'm currently enjoying the system, very detailed, but it does get a bit shouty at high volumes and could do with more bass. As you can see I'm looking at a price range upto around £1500 and ideally a pre-amp as well as a DAC as I think the ACA7 is also a weak link. My only benchmark was a Arcam SoniLink DAC which I could not tell the difference with from the SONOS direct. Any comments/help appreciated. PS. I do have a spare PSX-R so can hook that to the XP+
Hi Paul,
If you need many inputs, and have a £1,500 budget, then the NAD M51 is a great purchase, especially if you need HDMI. However, I'd suggest your main problem is the speakers sounding bright, thin and as you say lacking in bass. The opposite to this would be the ProAc D30R (ribbon tweeter), which may not sound initially as open and detailed as the MSP6, but it will deliver excellent bass for a 2-way, warm, smooth and a very nicely detailed sound that will let you into the recording, while not spoiling your enjoyment. Otherwise, The NAD M51 will help, an Eximus DP1 DAC more so (sweat and natural sounding), or a valve pre of some description may tailor your tops.
Peter
If you need many inputs, and have a £1,500 budget, then the NAD M51 is a great purchase, especially if you need HDMI. However, I'd suggest your main problem is the speakers sounding bright, thin and as you say lacking in bass. The opposite to this would be the ProAc D30R (ribbon tweeter), which may not sound initially as open and detailed as the MSP6, but it will deliver excellent bass for a 2-way, warm, smooth and a very nicely detailed sound that will let you into the recording, while not spoiling your enjoyment. Otherwise, The NAD M51 will help, an Eximus DP1 DAC more so (sweat and natural sounding), or a valve pre of some description may tailor your tops.
Peter
Thanks for the reply Peter, but the speakers are probably the one component I don't want to change, they were such a big step up from my monitor audio rx-6. They are great with well recorded music, been checking out Grammy best engineered award winners on spotify. But less well recorded music is really exposed. You make a good point on inputs, I only need one digital input, though I am thinking of getting an all in one pc to act as a connected media server rather than streaming and would need a USB input, but to be honest I think the sonos does a great job.
Thanks for the reply Peter, but the speakers are probably the one component I don't want to change, they were such a big step up from my monitor audio rx-6. They are great with well recorded music, been checking out Grammy best engineered award winners on spotify. But less well recorded music is really exposed. You make a good point on inputs, I only need one digital input, though I am thinking of getting an all in one pc to act as a connected media server rather than streaming and would need a USB input, but to be honest I think the sonos does a great job.
Peter, just looked at your website, how does the exit us compare to the benchmark 2 and the antelope audio, would they work in my system?
Pdewhurst1964 said:
Hi Paul,
Yes, they will all work sublimely.
My personal preference is the Eximus DP1 if you only need 24/192, analogue volume control (direct to amplification) and 1 x analogue input. However, if you want DXD/DSD, remote control and multiple analogue inputs/outputs (very useful), then the DAC2 HGC is the better purchase, and still pretty good direct to amplification using its digital volume control. The DP1 has the better build quality and aesthetics with a very natural, sweat and engaging sound. There is a lot to like with both products! The Antelope DACs are very good, but we're waiting for their NEW Zodiac Platinum DSD DAC to shake-up the DSD competition. In terms of digital inputs, they're all in the same ball park re USB (Async), AES, S/PDIF and Toslink.
That said, It's always best to try in your system.
Peter
This thread interests me as, just recently, I've started dipping my toe into computer-based music with the rDAC and was blown away by the results whether through my laptop or through the Sonos. I now rarely use vinyl so maybe it's time to have a fundamental rethink and get a DAC/Pre/Headphone amp to build the rest of my system around. Having seen the reviews of the Eximus DP1 this could well fit the bill, it certainly ticks a lot of boxes 🙂
Thanks for the responses. Food for thought for sure. The eximus is a beautiful looking piece of kit and does all the things I am looking for. Mitch I'm surprised that you found the arcam a worthwhile change, I found the difference to be very subtle vs. sonos.
Pdewhurst1964 said:
The 'blownaway' bit was aimed more the improvement it made to my laptop but the improvement to the Sonos was non too subtle, much better definition, fuller sound, etc. Don't get me wrong the Sonos on it's own in perfectly good but it can easily be inproved upon without spending an arm and a leg.
The Eximus will probably be my next (and last) purchase if I'm to resign vinyl to the history books.
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