DAC for SR-009/BHSE

[mulveling]

Why no Yggy on the list? A number of us here are using BHSE / 009/ Yggy systems, and it's a great sounding system with relatively little cash outlay towards the 1 piece that depreciates so fast (the DAC). It's not bright in the least (well, to be fair I had some brightness with USB that disappeared when I switched to coax input). Given what I'd read on two other 009 users' impressions of the C1, I'd be very wary of that unit unless you can first audition it on your 009 / BHSE. 

 

[wink]

GET THE  YGGY.....   

I repeat
GET THE YGGY....  

 

 

[Bones13]

My system is a microRendu (Roonified NAS) to a Bryston BDA-3 which goes both to a pre-amp for speakers, and the other output to the BHSE/SR009. This system allows direct output of sound from both the DAC and the pre-amp to the BHSE, so Computer Digital, Vinyl, DVD, CD, Cable Audio all are available to both the speakers and the headphones. All the digital sources are translated in the BDA-3 into analog.
 
The back of the BHSE has 3 inputs. I have one RCA from the gaming computer, one RCA from the DAC, and the XLR from the Preamp.

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

What about the NAGRA HD DAC ? 
 
Anybody done some serious auditioning with this DAC linked to the BHSE with 009's ? 
 
Comparison of the NAGRA HD DAC with other high quality popular and not so popular DAC's people have on HeadFi.org linked to their BHSE i.e.
Ayre QB-9 DSD
Chord DAVE
Chord Hugo
Chord QB76
Shiit Yggdrasil
TotalDac d1
Light Harmonic DaVinci
Lampizator DSD DAC Levels 4 to 7 & Golden Gate 
 
etc etc (the list goes on).

 

[nepherte]

  What about the NAGRA HD DAC ? 
 
Anybody done some serious auditioning with this DAC linked to the BHSE with 009's ? 
 
Comparison of the NAGRA HD DAC with other high quality popular and not so popular DAC's people have on HeadFi.org linked to their BHSE i.e.
Ayre QB-9 DSD
Chord DAVE
Chord Hugo
Chord QB76
Shiit Yggdrasil
TotalDac d1
Light Harmonic DaVinci
Lampizator DSD DAC Levels 4 to 7 & Golden Gate 
 
etc etc (the list goes on).

@bmichels has auditioned to Nagra HD DAC with his BHSE and 009s. He seemed to prefer it over the Totaldac d1, Chord Hugo (which he owns) and the Chord DAVE.
 
I've heard it with the Totaldac (my current setup), DAVE and Hugo. Listened to the Yggdrasil as well, but not with the Stax setup. My signature reflects my preference but I could live with all the ones I mentioned. I would stay away from Lampizator though.

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

 
@bmichels has auditioned to Nagra HD DAC with his BHSE and 009s. He seemed to prefer it over the Totaldac d1, Chord Hugo (which he owns) and the Chord DAVE.
 
I've heard it with the Totaldac (my current setup), DAVE and Hugo. Listened to the Yggdrasil as well, but not with the Stax setup. My signature reflects my preference but I could live with all the ones I mentioned. I would stay away from Lampizator though.

Thank you nepherte.  Much appreciated.
 
I currently have my Chord Blu CD Transporter 2 x XLR's (AES/EBU) linked to my Chord QBD76 DAC to get maximum 176kHz sampling. My QBD76 is XLR balanced linked to my BHSE.   The sound is great. 
 
Would love to know though (through curiosity if nothing else) if the Nagra HD DAC or any other of the DAC's I listed sound better to my ears to what I have but as I am currently working away from home cannot get a demo on the Nagra. 
It's also a lot of money to buy on a whim.  So hoping from reading  other people's reviews will at least start me thinking.  
 
I also liked the sound of the Ayre QB-9 DAC with the BHSE I heard at Headamps stand at Canjam London this year which is not better than the Chord set-up I have just different in a good / satisfying way to my ears to certain genres of music. It's also a fraction of the cost (second hand only now though) to the Nagra and my Chord set-up. 
 
I guess this what makes our hobby so interesting (and potentially expensive)  

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

 
@bmichels has auditioned to Nagra HD DAC with his BHSE and 009s. He seemed to prefer it over the Totaldac d1, Chord Hugo (which he owns) and the Chord DAVE.
 
I've heard it with the Totaldac (my current setup), DAVE and Hugo. Listened to the Yggdrasil as well, but not with the Stax setup. My signature reflects my preference but I could live with all the ones I mentioned. I would stay away from Lampizator though.

Hi nepherte,
Why do you say to stay away from Lampizator ?  Have you heard their DAC's with the BHSE and 009's ? 

 

[nepherte]

 
Hi nepherte,
Why do you say to stay away from Lampizator ?  Have you heard their DAC's with the BHSE and 009's ? 

 
I did not get my hands on a Lampizator myself, so in the end, my opinion is not much worth (or at least it shoudn't). I value solid engineering and manufacturing as much as sound quality (being an engineer myself). And I have my doubts about the internals of the Lampizator, based on people whose opinion I respect. That being said, I recommend everyone to decide for themselves based on actual listening experience (and engineering if they care about that), especially when we're talking lots of dollars.

 

[Crashem]

I did not get my hands on a Lampizator myself, so in the end, my opinion is not much worth (or at least it shoudn't). I value solid engineering and manufacturing as much as sound quality (being an engineer myself). And I have my doubts about the internals of the Lampizator, based on people whose opinion I respect. That being said, I recommend everyone to decide for themselves based on actual listening experience (and engineering if they care about that), especially when we're talking lots of dollars.

Curious what lampizator dac this opinion was based on? Before lampizator went to pcb and was doing point to point wiring?

 

[bombay317]

Though this looks like a dead thread, I am going to be testing out the Benchmark DAC3 L (coming in at 2k$) when my BHSE arrives.
 
I would be curious to see how the Berkeley Labs Alpha DAC Reference Series 2 would perform (coming in at 5k$).

 

[wink]

Get the YGGDRASIL....   

 

[bigfatpaulie]

  Get the YGGDRASIL....   

 
I swear, it seems every thread I've read today has a post of you saying get the Yggy...  

 
Stoddard is in your debt.  

 

[wink]

.... and, I am moreso in his.......   

 

[astrostar59]

IMO R-2R and tubes is the way if you are after warmth and smoothness  yet retain dynamics and transparency as well. The 009 is well, we know about that. But get the balance right (source) and wow, it can be incredible. Caviet I have the Carbon. YMMV and above is IMO.
 
I would look at used TBH, the DAC world is fast and exploding with new gear, and it may be an error to invest in a new DAC especially 6K and up? A new DAC above 6K that isn't upgradable could be a bad move. Anyway, my thoughts on that. Everyone will have an opinion on this.

 

[wisnon]

Curious what lampizator dac this opinion was based on? Before lampizator went to pcb and was doing point to point wiring?

Meanwhile on another forum, we have real world firsthand experience:
 
"Well you won a customer shootout in Florida: Originally Posted by Moneypenny View Post I have to share my story of a high end DAC shootout. As Mike knows, I got to know him through Audioshark Forum. Elsewhere in this forum you can learn that Mike (Suncoast Audio) has finally put down brick and mortar. My wife and I happened to be traveling in Mid-Feb and made arrangements on a Friday to have a blindfolded shootout of 5 top DACs. first, I can't say enough about the Suncoast facility - it has to be one of the top spots in U.S. - absolutely fantastic. Mike replicated a version of my equipment (Ayre pre/amp, Aurender and Vandersteen Quatros - vs my Ayre ref Kx-R/VX-R and Carbon 5As. My wife and I were blindfolded through all but the final two selection. Going in, my wife was fully locked like Harry Potter "..Not Slytherin, not Slytherin..." but rather "....not Lampizator, not Lampizator..." due to the WAF factor. Key results: - Used my Dana USB cable on all DACs - Tunes varied from Annie Lennox - Into the West, Brad Mehldau - Waltz for J.B., Stevie Ray Vaughn - Tin Pan Alley, Symphony #2 in E Minor Op. 27 - Budapest Festival Orchestra, Moondance - Van Morrison - So here is how they sorted - first the eliminations: - Ayre Qx-5 - was immediately eliminated as too bright for both of us. Sound was good and soundstage was clear but the hair raised on the back of our necks during the Annie Lennox crescendo ( note after the shootout, Mike mentioned he likes the QX5 with another USB - Berkeley Ref 2 - this was my initial favorite but my wife felt it was mushy in the soundstage background. We did listen again after the shootout and enjoyed it more and the sound was excellent just not the top one - Dave Chord - this one had amazing depth to the sound stage, excellent separation and clarity BUT it was also too bright. Mike tried another USB cable but alas, was still a bit too shrill for our tastes - You guessed it - when we took off the masks - left standing were the B7 and Atlantic Lampizators - The music was warmer and more organic. For us, it sounded more analog and natural. ...And the winner is: after 6 1/2 hours with Mike and swapping tubes in the B7 and the Atlantic rectifier, the B7 clearly was the winner. The clincher was the Symphony #2 which was mesmerizing - truly one of the most emotional connections ever with the music. My wife is thrilled with the sound (and will live with the aesthetics) and swears there must be some type of gypsy magic sprinkled onto the B7. We essentially ordered the B7 with the set up we loved ( tubes and wires) and included a Denali 6000T per Mike's recommendation. As a couple who has shopped most Hi-Fi shops -on the East Coast we enjoyed our experience with Mike in his new shop. Mike is passionate and spends less time selling and more trying to find the right sound for us. He guided us in the process and adjusted as we reflected on each DAC. It's nice to have a guide on the trail. Truth of the matter, I think he enjoyed the shootout too. What fun! Can't wait for the equipment to ship to our house."