Should a buy an external Dac for better sound?

[Zax89swe]

 

[Zax89swe]

Now Im playing my music through a computer soundcard, I wonder if a Hrt music streamer II would lift my system or should I wait and buy the more expensive Arcam Irdac instead for a more noticeable improvement?

 

[stevebrock]

I would say yes but I dont have experience of that DAC.

There are a few people though on here with that very DAC.

 

[ISAC69]

Now Im playing my music through a computer soundcard, I wonder if a Hrt music streamer II would lift my system or should I wait and buy the more expensive Arcam Irdac instead for a more noticeable improvement?

I am not familiar with the Hrt music streamer II and I don't know which computer soundcard you have ( the more adventage ones have an excellent internal dac), but matching a DAC will certainly improve the sound! try also Rega DAC , Musical Fidelity M1 and Audiolab M-DAC .

 

[spoorarthur]

Definitily buy yourself a DAC, but I would't spend to much on one. The HRT streamer will do fine, as long as you don't need other inputs. Dom make sure to use the right software - and plugin(s). Visit the site computeraudiophile.com for more info about software issues. Enjoy your upgrade!

 

[spoorarthur]

These are very good products, but in his system they would be 'to much'. He is better of if he upgrade's his amp or speakers

 

[spoorarthur]

last post was meant for isac69. Sorry, I'm kinda new here 🙂

 

[stevebrock]

In the context of your system ie your amp then I would think the HRT II would be perfectly adequate.

Yes a £500 DAC would be better, but personally would look at upgrading your amp to realise a more expensive DAC potential albeit the PM6004 is still a nice amp but you will be still stuck with the marantz sound.

 

[Zax89swe]

Or should I buy Rotel ra-12 instead :wall: some say at the forum that Marantz sound smoother but I find my system very bright already, had before Rega brio-r and it had same brightness level as the marantz but slightly more power, had also the Yamaha a-s500 and it was the most bright (not a good thing) and clinical.

 

[BigH]

Or should I buy Rotel ra-12 instead :wall: some say at the forum that Marantz sound smoother but I find my system very bright already, had before Rega brio-r and it had same brightness level as the marantz but slightly more power, had also the Yamaha a-s500 and it was the most bright (not a good thing) and clinical.

If all those amps are bright then its probably either your speakers or your room or both. I would not get the Rotel if you want less brightness, I would demo some different speakers, try the KEF R100s.