@bwegner1 Thanks for the additional info. I didn’t realize how broad your DAC quest is. Those are some great DACs you’re listening to. Have you had a chance to hear any of the Playback Design DACs?
I probably shouldn’t be looking at any new DACs, but I find this search interesting. I’m especially interested in the Meitner MA3i and the Playback Design MPD-8 because they have a reputation for sounding natural and non-fatiguing in contrast to DACs that emphasize detail and resolution to the point that listening sessions are more like hi-fi torture tests than a chance to relax and listen to good music. It kind of reminds me of the old Pepsi challenge, where Pepsi was often more popular than Coke simply because it tasted a bit sweeter. For some of us, though, too much sweetness was hard to live with over time, just like too much resolution in a DAC can be hard to live with.
If I had better judgment, I would learn to stay happy with my DirectStream MK2 or just trade it in toward the PMG 512. But knowing that there are so many interesting DAC options out there makes it hard to ignore the siren’s song luring me toward ever more expensive DACs.
Best of luck deciding among your three DAC finalists!
@SDL I agree with you on natural sounding vs emphasized detail/resolution. The PSA DACs and Meitner being DSD based are definitely more natural sounding and fluid. What I have found in my auditioning is that natural sounding and fluid are very important to me but some are too “laid back” and that takes the life out of the music. I have not heard any Playback Design DACs although I have read mostly positive things about them. My search began when I started thinking my system was being held back by the DAC. I was having a conversation with a person that I would call an Audio Industry Icon about some upgrades and he basically talked me out of buying some of his flagship amps because he said my DAC was the weakest link and I should invest there next. As I tried other, mostly more expensive DACs in my system I confirmed that. One can’t unhear things so next stop a new DAC.
A little more background to explain why Playback Design isn’t on my list of potential DACs. I have a large library of CDs, SACDs, and high res PCM so I don’t stream much just listen to discs. The PS Audio SACD transport I have is very, very good, it plays everything, and I want to continue to use it. The challenge with it is if I want to use it for SACDs, I need a DAC with an I2S input. Playback Design doesn’t have an I2S input and neither does the Grimm/Meitner/EMM Labs DACs. The Rockna and MSB DACs have I2S. The Wadax has an integrated disc transport. Playback Design has their own disc transport and so does Meitner/EMM Labs (only redbook PCM) but that would be more money for me to switch. I am not against doing that but what would be the incremental value? Are those other transports are better than the PSA product, I don’t know.
@Philip_Gan, partially. I demo’d the Meitner in my system and really liked it. I have heard it’s “big brother” in a Dealer showroom and from what I could tell it was excellent and it’s performance was consistent with being 3x the price of it’s “little brother.” See my comments above regarding disc playback, that’s what eliminated it from my consideration. BTW, I don’t understand the thinking behind designing a DSD based DAC and offering a companion transport that only plays redbook PCM.
The Playback Designs SACD transport uses a P-Link Fiber Optic connection. It superior to I2S. The sound you have to hear to believe the level of tranparency and resolution possible from a digital format. Only my vinyl system can have more open transparency, but PD has more full textured substance than my vinyl. Both has advantages and disadvantages and is depending on taste, your preference. If you get a chance, audition a PD Dream MPD-8 and companion SACD MPT-8 and get a idea what digital is capable of.
@dchang05 I see from your other posts that you still seem to have your MU2 but you also have posted a lot about loving the PMG 512/PMG SACD combo. I’m curious which you are finding the best these days when you are using Roon to stream from Tidal or Qobuz?
My preference does not mean one is better than the other. Because with MU2 I use ethernet connection including a LHY SW-10 Pro switch, a Muon Pro system, plus a Shunyata Omega ethernet cable. But with PMG512 I use WIFI. In addition, their power cords and interconnects are different.
All I can say is that in my setup I prefer MU2 because it sounds more analog. A little change will probably alter the preference because they do not differ much in SQ.
I am waiting for a Shunyata Omega-X ethernet cable, then I can switch the cables between the two, and I also want to find out if a hard-wired connection is better than WIFI. That could easily change the outcome, or not.
So the MU2 using just WiFi sounds better to you already than the wired PMG512 using over $7000 in ethernet accessories. Why would you expect converting the MU2 to ethernet would change the character of the two devices. Plus one unit is trouble free and the other combination is not.
Thanks @bwegner1 @waymanchen11 has struck envy into us all with his mention of the PLINK level disc playback but it all comes down to how much we want to spend and what our personal priorities and preferences are.
I have a PS Audio SACD player (not the PMG) and a DSD Mk2. I did buy the PMG Pre (and have BHK 300 + P20), but I’m open to looking outside of PS Audio for a DAC upgrade. I’m interested in the Meitner as I mostly stream these days, and the streamer issues of the PMG have stayed my hand. Another forum member clearly favoured the Meitner over the PMG, but I’ll most likely audition myself and make my own impressions. I wonder how SACD via I2S to PMG would compare with the red book layer of the same SACD to the Meitner in a blind test.
I sure wish you’d bring your system over to Axpona for a good listen. :) I expect it would even sound good in a bedroom with wall mounted headboards. ,Instead we’ll have to get fragments from room to room. I know I’ll be looking for your amps for a listen.
The main reason for me getting an Omega-X, of course, is not to compare the two. I hope this cable will elevate the performance of MU2 even more, and to see if I still need the Muon Pro System. The goal is to bring streaming close to PMG combo playing SACDs, again.
With SW-10 Pro switch inserted a few month ago, the SQ improvement from M.P. can only be described as “tiny”. In fact, Omega and M.P. may not be the best pals together, I suspect. With two Shunyata Omegas in the system, I should have better synergy, and MP may not be needed. We shall see.
SW-10 Pro also makes the SQ difference “tiny” from cheaper cables I tried upstream of it. So, I want to know If putting Omega upstream of SW-10 pro will make a better improvement.
I suspect the Omega-X will increase the level of performance on your MU2. Similarly the SR Galileo Discovery made a marked increase in my system. When I just plugged a USB memory stick to my streamer, the sound from the SACD transport is a bit more transparent sounding than my streamer, but with the NAS system (SR switch, Muon Pro, SR ethernet, MasterBuilt USB.), the sound opened up and sounded much more analog like that surpasted the SACD transport due to the extra filtering and proccesing. The accumulation of all the items in the chain made a very possitive result in the sound. Down side is much more $$$.
You don’t have to but I much prefer Sense with my Pulsar…so many errors with ROON and it is the worst customer service model of all time for a service you pay for. Innuos service is superb
I expect it would even sound good in a bedroom with wall mounted headboards. ,Instead we’ll have to get fragments from room to room. I know I’ll be looking for your amps for a listen.