Do I Need A Better DAC?
Sep 29, 2015 at 1:54 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 30
Koukol

Koukol

1000+ Head-Fier
Joined
Feb 2, 2014
Posts
1,219
Likes
90
Hello,
Ever since I bought the Pono DAP I boxed up my Marantz CD 5003 and now rip my CD collection for the Pono when needed.
The Pono sounds miles better to me.
 
For CD listening I've heard some use any old CD Player and focus more on a great DAC so now I'm wondering what it would take to get my Marantz in a better league?
It has the two usual digital outputs.
 
Would a Schiit DAC improve things greatly?
 
Sep 29, 2015 at 2:21 PM Post #2 of 30
I've never heard of the DAC chip it says it uses, and it's hard to tell how well the DAC portion is made, but finding a DAC with a good return policy couldn't hurt. How much were you thinking of spending?
 
Sep 29, 2015 at 2:47 PM Post #3 of 30
Thanks for the reply, Jodgy.
 
I'm far from rich in fact I can't even claim to be middle class so cost is important.
I need something of a giant killer that hits above the cost.
It think it would be somewhere around $500.00US and then I would have to sell my Pono for that.
 
I bought the Pono because a lot of people were saying it has a great DAC for such a great price.
 
Sep 29, 2015 at 2:54 PM Post #4 of 30
I found this on another thread here.
The 5003 has the same DAC as the older 5001
 
"The CD-5001 uses the same DAC found in the majority of middle-range Creative X-Fi sound cards (CS4392)..."
 
Sep 29, 2015 at 3:00 PM Post #5 of 30
The Schiit Modi is an option - IIRC the newer v2 isn't different at all compared to the 1st except the pre-amp options. The Bifrost is accepted to be a bit aggressive, but that might suit your system well. Maybe go read around the Source Component forums for ideas?
 
Sep 29, 2015 at 4:28 PM Post #6 of 30
jodgey4 said:
  The Schiit Modi is an option - IIRC the newer v2 isn't different at all compared to the 1st except the pre-amp options. The Bifrost is accepted to be a bit aggressive, but that might suit your system well. Maybe go read around the Source Component forums for ideas?
Click to expand...


Cheers,
Unfortunately I can't audition the Schiit line since I can only find them online.
But on paper the Schiit would be an improvement?
 
Sep 29, 2015 at 4:49 PM Post #7 of 30
koukol said:
  Ever since I bought the Pono DAP I boxed up my Marantz CD 5003 and now rip my CD collection for the Pono when needed.
The Pono sounds miles better to me.
For CD listening I've heard some use any old CD Player and focus more on a great DAC so now I'm wondering what it would take to get my Marantz in a better league?
It has the two usual digital outputs.
Would a Schiit DAC improve things greatly?
Click to expand...

 
What headphones do you use?
 
Check out the Audio-GD NFB-15, $270 + shipping ($45).
Dual WM8741 DAC chips :)
Can connect to the CD5003 with either optical or coaxial
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphoneamp/NFB1532/NFB15.32EN.htm
 
I just replaced my 2 year old NFB-15.32 with the newest revision (NFB-15).
 
Sep 29, 2015 at 4:51 PM Post #8 of 30
It's hard to tell on paper if a DAC is going to be an inprovement... though moving to a DAC with a better known chipset might provide some peace of mind. The NFB-15 and NFB-11 are good choices, both similar - the former more musical, the latter more detailed (ES9018).
 
Sep 29, 2015 at 5:59 PM Post #9 of 30
Hi Purple!
Right now I use the HD650's but since they're too dark for me with the dip up in the 8K (or thereabout) I EQ it.
I might sell them for the 600's.
 
I should add that I'm using the Little Dot MK III Amp right now in which I rolled in some warmer tubes than the stock.
 
Sep 29, 2015 at 6:03 PM Post #10 of 30
So the LD MK III is connected to the analog (RCA) output on the Marantz?
 
Maybe switch to the HD600 first, see how you like it, then see about a DAC?
 
Sep 29, 2015 at 6:19 PM Post #11 of 30
Right now I have my Pono's (DAP) line out into an ART EQ (musician grade )then to my LD.
Since I think the 650's are too dark I EQ the high end.
I would love a Amp or preamp with a bass and treble adjustment to put away my ART...or get the 600's :)
 
Sep 29, 2015 at 6:38 PM Post #12 of 30
koukol said:
  Hello,
Ever since I bought the Pono DAP I boxed up my Marantz CD 5003 and now rip my CD collection for the Pono when needed.
The Pono sounds miles better to me.
 
For CD listening I've heard some use any old CD Player and focus more on a great DAC so now I'm wondering what it would take to get my Marantz in a better league?
It has the two usual digital outputs.
 
Would a Schiit DAC improve things greatly?
Click to expand...

That's a tough question a lot of us face, get a new DAC or a new Headphone, though with regards to the Dac choice I like the Audio GD series. They offer a wide range of digital inputs, which gives you a lot of freedom with what source you want to use. Additionally they tend to be a little dark for a solid State, so you'll have a nice full body to the mids and bass but without out a lot of decay. Here's a link to their web site, check them out and see if there's one that fits into your budget! 
 
You also mentioned that you felt the HD 650 was a bit too dark, another feature typical of a solid state amp is a more energetic treble. So ideally, getting into one of Audio GD's Dac/Amp Solid States should is going to brighten up your HD 650 in comparison to the Tube you have now.

I've not heard the HD 650, though I enjoyed the HD 600 very much, an with a tube at that. The mids where still the primary focus of the sound giving it a very intimate sound. How ever top and bottom end extension where very balanced, which to my ears gave the HD 600 a very natural sound. 

Of course, there's always the option to switch to a headphone like the Beyerdynamic DT 880, which has a nice crisp sound. The brighter, crisp nature of the headphone will also allow you to more easily distinguish finer details

 
 
Sep 29, 2015 at 8:08 PM Post #13 of 30
mshenay said:
 
koukol said:
  Hello,
Ever since I bought the Pono DAP I boxed up my Marantz CD 5003 and now rip my CD collection for the Pono when needed.
The Pono sounds miles better to me.
 
For CD listening I've heard some use any old CD Player and focus more on a great DAC so now I'm wondering what it would take to get my Marantz in a better league?
It has the two usual digital outputs.
 
Would a Schiit DAC improve things greatly?
Click to expand...

That's a tough question a lot of us face, get a new DAC or a new Headphone, though with regards to the Dac choice I like the Audio GD series. They offer a wide range of digital inputs, which gives you a lot of freedom with what source you want to use. Additionally they tend to be a little dark for a solid State, so you'll have a nice full body to the mids and bass but without out a lot of decay. Here's a link to their web site, check them out and see if there's one that fits into your budget! 
 
You also mentioned that you felt the HD 650 was a bit too dark, another feature typical of a solid state amp is a more energetic treble. So ideally, getting into one of Audio GD's Dac/Amp Solid States should is going to brighten up your HD 650 in comparison to the Tube you have now.

I've not heard the HD 650, though I enjoyed the HD 600 very much, an with a tube at that. The mids where still the primary focus of the sound giving it a very intimate sound. How ever top and bottom end extension where very balanced, which to my ears gave the HD 600 a very natural sound. 

Of course, there's always the option to switch to a headphone like the Beyerdynamic DT 880, which has a nice crisp sound. The brighter, crisp nature of the headphone will also allow you to more easily distinguish finer details

 
Click to expand...


Thanks for the input, Mshenay.
 
I boxed my CD player long before I got my HD650's...it was just too muddy after hearing the Pono DAP.
I'm now wondering if I was too hasty and I might be better off selling the Pono and get a better DAC than what the Marantz has.
I only use the Pono at my bedside like I did with the Marantz.
 
I actually have the DT880's on my radar if I don't go for the 600's :)
I used the Inner-fidelity graph of the 600/650's and boosted the 650's around the 8Khz range to sound a little closer to the 600's... and I like it.
 
Sep 29, 2015 at 10:06 PM Post #14 of 30
I've been reading about the Aune X1S  here.
I have to admit i get confused when a device has a USB port.
 
I never know if it's powered by USB or if it can read digital files through a USB port.
I think this one can do the latter, yes?
That would be fantastic since I can put the downloads I have on my Pono onto a stick.
 
Sep 29, 2015 at 10:10 PM Post #15 of 30
It reads info through the USB port, power may or may not also come from that port. I've never seen a DAC use USB only for power. However, the USB takes in a PCM stream - so it's meant to be hooked up to a computer or phone.
 
I say get the HD600's then decide what you need from there. Also consider something like the K712 or K7XX - which is a good contestant to the HD650 in most terms, but more neutral like the HD600 and extended. Just a thought :).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top