Budget External DACs vs. Yamaha AVR RX- V667

[jagdish_p]

Hi,
Will a DAC and Integrated Amp give substantial improvement over Yamaha AVR 667?

Some background Info from my end.
I have Mirage 550 series Floor Standers. I did not find a big difference in the following two scenarios.
a) Music (Flacs , High bit MP3s etc. ) stored on HDD routed through a media player --- HDMI digital out to Yamaha AVR 667 ( Stereo mode or Pure direct) to speakers
b) Music from Media player optical out to DAC Magic to Cambridge Azur 650A to speakers.
The improvement if any in Scenario b (Stereo set up) is very marginal. I attributed this to the speakers lack of response and am in the process of upgrading to Tannoy s
In the meantime I have given the Amp and DAC to my daughter who stays in Mumbai. Hence my new speakers will be driven by Yamaha 667 AVR .So my query to FMs is - Will there be a substantial improvement if I add a budget DAC?

Will any of the below budget (<200) DACs improve the SQ compared to the built in DAC of Yamaha 667?

a) Beresford Bushmaster DAC TC-7530DC
b) Tubemagic D2 by Maveric Audio
c) Arcam r Link
d) Higher budget Arcam r Dac

If you feel that there will be an improvement in SQ I will go ahead and place an order for a DAC.
Also what is your preference of DAC?

Thanks

 

[spirovious]

Yes,Yamaha 667 has good DAC,but it is not as good as separate DAC for music.

 

[jagdish_p]

Thanks Spirovious.
So which DAC should I opt for?

 

[spirovious]

Thanks Spirovious.
So which DAC should I opt for?

I did compare 667 DAC with Tubemagic D2 by Maveric Audio & later had better soundstage & details.
Also checked Beresford,ODAC,Teac DACs.
A separate DAC is better choice over 667 DAC.

 

[jagdish_p]

Did some reading on the net. ODAC is supposed to be bright sounding where as I prefer warm sound. Also does not have Optical in which I want. I am OK with not having USB in.

So amongst the remaining three DAcs from your list which one do you like?

1) Tubemagic D2 with upgrade
2) Beresford - TC7530 DC Bushaster (the latest model)
3) Teac UDH01-B D/A

Thanks

 

[Santy]

Did some reading on the net. ODAC is supposed to be bright sounding where as I prefer warm sound. Also does not have Optical in which I want. I am OK with not having USB in.

So amongst the remaining three DAcs from your list which one do you like?

1) Tubemagic D2 with upgrade
2) Beresford - TC7530 DC Bushaster (the latest model)
3) Teac UDH01-B D/A

Thanks

Both (2) and (3) will keep you satisfied for a long time. Get the one which is easier to buy/import.

 

[Staxxx]

Does the Maverick Audio DAC offer asynchronous USB please? I hear it is good value for money but wonder if it is being heard over S/PDIF (Coaxial) or Toslink (Optical) inputs only.

(off topic) This is an interesting article on USB inuputs and DACs:

USB audio - Synchronous/Asynchronous

 

[jagdish_p]

1) Tubemagic D2 with upgrade
2) Beresford - TC7530 DC Bushaster (the latest model)
3) Teac UDH01-B D/A

Both (2) and (3) will keep you satisfied for a long time. Get the one which is easier to buy/import.

Thanks Santy. Teac is costlier then Bushmaster.
I see from your signature that you are using Caiman.
Have you heard Tubemagic and prefer Beresford over Tubemagic?

 

[jagdish_p]

Does the Maverick Audio DAC offer asynchronous USB please? I hear it is good value for money but wonder if it is being heard over S/PDIF (Coaxial) or Toslink (Optical) inputs only.

(off topic) This is an interesting article on USB inuputs and DACs:

USB audio - Synchronous/Asynchronous

Interseting read. I am not very particular about USB capability as I will be feeding from a Media player.
So my question remains . Which of the two Tube Magic D2 or Beresford Bushmaster is better. How does the Music sound - Warm, Bright , neutral?

 

[spirovious]

Did some reading on the net. ODAC is supposed to be bright sounding

Not at all,its warm sounding DAC. Tubemagic can sound bright with some recordings.

 

[Santy]

Have you heard Tubemagic and prefer Beresford over Tubemagic?

I heard Maverick D1 before buying Caiman since I felt it was better. Bushmaster is supposed to be even better. I have not heard D2. TEAC is at par with Caiman if not marginally better in resolution. I could not find any difference though. Note that Bushmaster does not have USB.

 

[jagdish_p]

I am OK with not having USB. Thanks

 

[jagdish_p]

Did some more reading on the net.
Can I use any of the below DACs as input direct to a power Amp ( eliminate the pre Amp / Integrated Amp)

I have lsited my shortlist below - In increasing Price order

1) Tubemagic D2 with upgrade
2) Teac UDH01-B D/A
3)Emotiva XDA-2 USB DAC
4) Arcam r Dac

What will be your recommendation for the best VFM DAC for warm low volume Music listening from above list?

 

[spirovious]

First two are good.

 

[jagdish_p]

Ok so do I still need an integrated amp or will power amp alone work with Tubemagic D2 or Teac UDH01-B D/A. The audio output of Tubemagic is only 2 volts. Also users have reported flat , low detail Sound when DAC is used as a preamp . Any first hand experience on this?

 

[spirovious]

You need a preamp before power amp to use DAC.You can use Yamaha as pre & connect power amp though.Else integrated amp is fine.

 

[jagdish_p]

Thanks Spirovious. Was just wondering if I can eliminate one component from teh signal path

 

[spirovious]

Some DAC come with volume control & in built pre-amp,still dedicated sounds good to my ears.

 

[drkaushik]

If he connects DAC to 667 by RCA IC's, will it not eliminate the need of Power amp?

 

[Maxprocrj]

Did some more reading on the net.
Can I use any of the below DACs as input direct to a power Amp ( eliminate the pre Amp / Integrated Amp)

I have lsited my shortlist below - In increasing Price order

1) Tubemagic D2 with upgrade
2) Teac UDH01-B D/A
3)Emotiva XDA-2 USB DAC
4) Arcam r Dac

What will be your recommendation for the best VFM DAC for warm low volume Music listening from above list?

Go for Arcam rDAC Rs.28,800 appx It has refined details and great sense of timing when switching from lower frequencies from higher or vise a verse .Clean and detailed :clapping: