Need your thoughts: DAC+streamer+volume control

[banpuku]

Hi everyone. Hope all is well. I need your help finding my next purchase.

For the past couple of years I have been using Blue Node 21 DAC/Streamer as my primary source. Now, I am seeking to replace the Blue Node 2.1 with a combo DAC/Streamer/volume control. Budget is $12KUSD. This unit will directly drive (no pre-amp) my tube monoblocks that I built. I do have the option of inserting my own volume control in between the DAC/streamer and the amps. But would much prefer to find a DAC/Streamer with a built in volume control. The volume control should be either an autoformer or resistor type. No digital domain volume control, please. The output of the DAC/streamer ideally would be 3V or more.

Another option is to use the Blue Node 2.1 to provide streaming service that feed into a DAC/volume control. Not sure if this is the proper approach or not, so keep me honest.

My listening tastes are 99% classical chamber music, so string tonality, dynamics and transients are of utmost importance.

Please provide any ideas and yes, I am open to used equipment as well.

Thanks in advance for your thought response.
Pat

 

[Bones13]

Bricasti DACs have a nice, analog, resistor based, volume control. They can be configured with a streamer in the unit. Very detailed DAC.

$12k would also get an MSB Discrete DAC, the streamer (Renderer v2) module would be extra, so the used market would be needed to get both for under 12k. Depends on the vintage, it can be upgraded.

Tube based Lampizator DACs can be ordered with volume controls. You would need to research this.

Just a few off the top of my head. I’m sure others will chime in others.

 

[audiobomber]

The volume control should be either an autoformer or resistor type. No digital domain volume control, please.

Is this because you have heard about digital controllers dropping bits? If so, that is not really a valid concern.

Each 6dB reduction costs one bit of dynamic range. So with a 32 bit source and a 24 bit music file, you could reduce level by (32 - 24) x 6 = 48dB before you would lose any of the data. Furthermore, your audio system cannot reproduce more than 20 bits (20x6 = 180dB) of dynamic range with even a fine sound system, and you can't hear it, so now you can confidently reduce volume by (32-20 x 6) = 72dB. With a 16-bit music file, you can decrease level by (32-16) x 6 = 96dB before losing a single music bit.

My speakers are 89dB/octave. I normally listen at -24dB and have never gone above -12dB. I have a friend who sold his Allnic tube preamp after purchasing a Mola Mola Tambaqui, because the system sounded better without the preamp. He has 90dB/w/m Sonus Faber speakers in a large room, and runs the DAC between -20dB and -12dB.

Mola Mola sells a high performance preamp, but recommends running the Tambaqui directly into their monoblocks. The Tambaqui uses digital level control.

With the addition of a lossless digital volume control and headphone outputs, it is also the ideal control hub of a minimalist audio system for music lovers who have moved on to a digital sources only system. This DAC, combined with a pair of Mola Mola Kaluga monoblocks constitutes the finest digital replay chain available, irrespective of price.

Mola Mola

Description

www.mola-mola.nl

As I understand it, analog level control in a digital system will require an ADC. I would be more concerned about that extra conversion rather than digital level control.

 

[banpuku]

Great feedback, audiobomber. Q: what do you mean by extra conversion?

 

[audiobomber]

Q: what do you mean by extra conversion?

Sorry, I was thinking about DACs that convert analog to digital with an ADC but that's not an issue in a pure digital system.

DACs that control output after the analog conversion use ladder resistors or a pot, basically an inboard preamp. Paul McGowan says this:

"a digital volume control can do as little damage to the signal as even the very best analog volume control."

Digital volume controls

I struggled with how to write this because the subject's rather complicated and in the end decided to keep it simple. Heck, it's Sunday after all and we're supposed to be taking a day off. Yesterday we covered analog volume controls and how they, by virtue of adding something into the signal...

www.psaudio.com

I believe digital level control is better than analog because you don't need the extra parts. Levels can be decreased digitally, with no loss in actual resolution.

 

[morricab]

Take digital output from BlueSound and run into a reclocker and use the money for a very good DAC, like and Aries Cerat Helene.

 

[DasguteOhr]

All that you want, maybe used for 12k the last one i see on the used market was 14k.

2022 Golden Ear: Metronome DSC Streamer/DAC - The Absolute Sound

2022 Golden Ear: Metronome DSC Streamer/DAC - Twenty-five grand is a steep but by no means unheard of price for a streaming DAC/preamplifier. In the case of the Metronome DSC, you get your money’s worth.

www.theabsolutesound.com

Homepage

Digital sharing // DSC - GB - SITE TEST METRONOME sept 24

RANGE DIGITAL SHARING DSC D/A CONVERTER – STREAMERDIGITAL PRE-AMP DSC starts a new era for Métronome, which launches its first “three-in-one” device: a top converter, streamer and above all digital pre-amplifier thanks to the integration of Leedh Processing’s volume control technology...

www.metronome.audio

 

[PYP]

My speakers are 89dB/octave. I normally listen at -24dB and have never gone above -12dB. I have a friend who sold his Allnic tube preamp after purchasing a Mola Mola Tambaqui, because the system sounded better without the preamp. He has 90dB/w/m Sonus Faber speakers in a large room, and runs the DAC between -20dB and -12dB.

Mola Mola sells a high performance preamp, but recommends running the Tambaqui directly into their monoblocks. The Tambaqui uses digital level control.

With the addition of a lossless digital volume control and headphone outputs, it is also the ideal control hub of a minimalist audio system for music lovers who have moved on to a digital sources only system. This DAC, combined with a pair of Mola Mola Kaluga monoblocks constitutes the finest digital replay chain available, irrespective of price.

Mola Mola

Description

www.mola-mola.nl

I had the MM Tambaqui directly into the MM mono blocks for five years and enjoyed every minute. I've been a big believer in running direct for a very long time (always worked well for me). Recently, I tried the MM Makua preamp with the Tambaqui and mono blocks. The Makua demo unit had been used a lot and was thoroughly burned in. Once the preamp warmed up, I began to see my preference changing as the sound was more to my liking (the Makua is, to my ears, extraordinary -- utterly transparent in a way that the whole system can just disappear). A few minutes later my wife came by to say how much she liked the sound (playing an album that is very familiar to her). Well, who am I to fight the universe? Next we tried a Grimm MU2 streamer/DAC/analog volume control. That took more time to warm up and settle in. But after a few days, it was clear that the Tambaqui would be traded in.

The MU2, at $17,500 is well above your budget, but if you can wait and continue filling the piggy bank I can promise it is very musical and worth a demo.