DAC Pairing with Crack

ryan00davis · 13159

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Offline Jim R.

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Reply #15 on: March 30, 2012, 03:23:36 PM
I've heard both, side-by-side and of course value is relative to the individual, but the II+ is better in many ways -- better soundstage, quieter, better bass dfinition, smother and just a nicer presentation -- and the Crack can certainly reveal these changes no problem.

The II is a superb dac for the money, but the II+ does take it up a few notches.  Then add a decentt usb cable and something like the aqvox usb linear power supply, hide it behind everything, put a high-end cdp in front of it and nobody would be able to tell it was the little HRT making the music.  Of course the real best performance comes only with a very good server to feed it.  It's digital -- everything matters.

I've not heard the HRT MS Pro though so can't comment on that one.

Next I want to try their LineStreamer 24/96 ADC connected to the Eros and using PureVinyl.

-- Jim

Jim Rebman -- recovering audiophile

Equitech balanced power; uRendu, USB processor -> Musette DAC -> 5670 tube buffer -> Finale Audio F138 FFX -> Cain and Cain Abbys near-field).

s.e.x. 2.1 under construction.  Want list: Stereomour II

All ICs homemade (speaker and power next)


Offline ryan00davis

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Reply #16 on: March 30, 2012, 11:06:23 PM
so many choices, so little listening time. the Valab search brought me to their new DAC (WM8741), which on paper, looks pretty darn good:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Valab-WM8741-24bit-192k-USB-DAC-Dual-WM8741-Balanced-XLR-Output-Black-Face-/270936744188?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f1516a0fc#shId

definitely on the high end of what i wanted to spend, and seems like it is so new that i cant find any reviews though.