What DAC do you use with Roon? Please list make and model (and price if you feel like adding it) [2016 - 2021-03]

pl_svn · February 26, 2018, 6:23pm

as I reported in the “hiccups thread” a couple of weeks back (I believe) for some mysterious reason all was fine lately, up to DSD-128 (don’t have any higher resolution file), with the 2Qute too

Edit:
playing now with the Qutest a DSD128 album (Daniele Gatti/RCO orchestra “Le Sacre du Printemps”) and all is fine (but it already was with the 2Qute, as I said)
will try getting a DSD256 and try (through USB, as the Audiophilleo I’m using only goes up to DSD128)

jon_michaels · February 26, 2018, 8:16pm

ROCK > PS Audio DirectSteam (via USB)

Ventoux · February 27, 2018, 3:52pm

PS Audio DS Jr. via Bridge II

R_S · February 28, 2018, 9:15pm

Hi Robert. How do you like the Kalliope. Looks an impressive machine. Would be interested in any impressions you are willing to share. Regards, R S

Robert · March 1, 2018, 6:34pm

Hi. It is gorgeus machine. I play mostly files (both hi-res and red book CD) via USB input from my dedicated PC audio. The Kalliope has a great, Gryphon own designed, USB input with a large bank of capacitors working as a phantom power supply. It is better than other DAC’s based on Xmos or Amanero USB kit inputs. Also SPDIF BNC inputs, which one of them I use with CD transport are great. Kalliope sound is very detailed, high resoluted, coherent and with high consistency of the frequency response and has an excellent timbre (especially for mid-frequencies). I have compared it against Musical Fidelity, Calyx 24/192, Hegel HD11. Kalliope won the competition unbeatable but it wasn’t surprise for me, becasue the price gap between DAC’s suggested it.

tau_ceti · March 27, 2018, 2:58pm

I’m getting an Ayre QX-5. Had it is my setup for a week and was convinced. It’s awesome with Roon!

Allman77 · March 27, 2018, 5:49pm

Ayre QX-5 as well, great piece of equipement indeed. I don’t use HQ Player or the Roon DSP options, I let the Ayre do everything.

rrwwss52 · March 27, 2018, 8:17pm

Just added a PS Audio Direct Stream Jr. as my primary DAC

Second DAC, Schiit Gumby

Cantodea · March 27, 2018, 11:31pm

Audiolab MDAC plus

woodford · March 28, 2018, 12:57pm

how would you characterize the differences between the DSJ and Gumby?

Simon_Chick · March 28, 2018, 1:09pm

Yup me too. Generally delighted with Ayre.

thyname · March 28, 2018, 1:56pm

For all of you folks with Ayre QX-5, any chance you compared with PS Audio Directream (streaming Roon via its Bridge II)?

My DAC is Directstream, but I have Ayre Amp and Preamp, and very fond of them. Maybe I should go all-in with Ayre by replacing the DSD with the Ayre QX-5?

Dirk_Op_de_Beeck · March 28, 2018, 1:57pm

Marantz NA8005 via USBridge
Wyred4Sound 1v2 via USBridge
FiiO E07/E09K via USB (RPI)

Mike_O_Neill · March 28, 2018, 2:48pm

What do you use as a end point, I have the original M-DAC

Mike

Dick_van_de_Merwe1 · March 28, 2018, 3:39pm

DDDAC1794 NOS DAC with I2S coupled BerryStreamer.

Vule · March 28, 2018, 3:57pm

+1 for Ayre QX-5!

rrwwss52 · March 28, 2018, 4:51pm

DS Jr is fuller and more musical IMO. Both are great DACs.

Cantodea · March 28, 2018, 5:02pm

Imac-SOtM sms 200-Audiolab MDAC Plus. Sounds very good. The Audiolab is used as a pre/dac.

Mike_O_Neill · March 29, 2018, 5:35am

Mine runs via a. Cambridge Audio CXN sadly as Airplay then a digital connection to M DAC

My hifi is now really headphones so the M DAC is really only a headphone amp to my Sennheiser HD800’s

I still use JRiver for the hi res stuff until I get a better end point

Mike

Le_Dom · March 29, 2018, 6:27am

Hi,
I’m using a Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 v2se