One box DAC/Streamer to replace separates
- Thread starter Gwan-Tommo
- Start date
Hegel H590 Dac streamer plus a superb integrated amp as bonus,
A true one box solution
A true one box solution
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The H590 needs no integrated amp or power amp - it's a full all-in-one. Now replaced by the H600. Sadly no AES/EBU digital input.
If looking for a similar all-in-one, I'd suggest the new NAD M33 V2 should be considered at half the price, especially if you use subs or you think you need DSP to improve response at listening position. The latter feature is one I don't believe should be necessary in 2-channel stereo, but many can't seem to choose the right speakers, or to set them up properly, or pay no attention to such things as carpets, furniture and chuck DSP at the perceived problem! But the NAD offers Dirac Live and Dirac Live Bass Control if needed.
Oh really ?
I already thought its kinda strange that my Hegel DAC/ streamer had left / right loudspeaker terminals it must be a H590 then lol
My Hegel H590 sounds fine with a Toslink cable i have the meitner transport next to my listening chair ( 5 m Toslink cable )
Sounds fine/ polished ,but not the spectacular big bubble emotional tape sound
Pros are : low noisefloor , easy to use cheap medium and more of my favourite music available .
The Hegel / DAC amp combo might be cheap but its very neutral / controlled and the Hegel amp is able to produce lots of detail.
Highly recommended
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I think DACs are a very personal thing like speakers. One person's favorite speaker/DAC is "unlistenable" to another.
For me, I have not found DACs that I found to be superior to Chord DACs, including even the Chord Qutest. Other DACs might have specific characteristics that may be superior to Chord DACs, e.g. silence/lower noise floor when nothing is playing, warmer sound or artificially wider soundstage, but when properly setup, I just prefer Chord DACs. And I have listened to many very high-end DACs.
The real problem in my mind for Chord DACs is that they are extremely idiosyncratic. First, they are extremely immune to jitter but they seem to highlight any electric noise that comes through from your USB or coaxial source so I only exclusively use Toslink to feed Chord DACs and I have absolutely no electrical audio signals/sources connected to the Chord DAC to avoid any electrical noise. This is true even for sources as good as the K50 with exceedingly low electrical noise. A friend recently switched from USB back to Toslink output of his K50 and the Chord system sounded dramatically better. Second, often by default, Chord DACs can be set to 3V output which would clip some preamplifier and amplifier, including the Kondo KSL M7 Line so you have to make sure for those preamplfiiers to set the Chord Qutest output to 2V or for something like Chord DAVE, to take the DAC out of DAC mode and just set the volume to -7dB for 2V on RCA. To me, if you haven't listened to a Chord DAC that's optimally setup, you haven't listened to a Chord DAC. But others could argue that if the DAC doesn't sound good with normal setup procedures, it's not the DAC for them. But I do think Chord DACs are more true to the digital and analog source than other DACs.
It sounds like OP has listened to many DACs and knows what he likes. So it's unlikely we are going to recommend something that pairs well with Kondo more than he can figure out on his own through demos and listening tests.
For me, I have not found DACs that I found to be superior to Chord DACs, including even the Chord Qutest. Other DACs might have specific characteristics that may be superior to Chord DACs, e.g. silence/lower noise floor when nothing is playing, warmer sound or artificially wider soundstage, but when properly setup, I just prefer Chord DACs. And I have listened to many very high-end DACs.
The real problem in my mind for Chord DACs is that they are extremely idiosyncratic. First, they are extremely immune to jitter but they seem to highlight any electric noise that comes through from your USB or coaxial source so I only exclusively use Toslink to feed Chord DACs and I have absolutely no electrical audio signals/sources connected to the Chord DAC to avoid any electrical noise. This is true even for sources as good as the K50 with exceedingly low electrical noise. A friend recently switched from USB back to Toslink output of his K50 and the Chord system sounded dramatically better. Second, often by default, Chord DACs can be set to 3V output which would clip some preamplifier and amplifier, including the Kondo KSL M7 Line so you have to make sure for those preamplfiiers to set the Chord Qutest output to 2V or for something like Chord DAVE, to take the DAC out of DAC mode and just set the volume to -7dB for 2V on RCA. To me, if you haven't listened to a Chord DAC that's optimally setup, you haven't listened to a Chord DAC. But others could argue that if the DAC doesn't sound good with normal setup procedures, it's not the DAC for them. But I do think Chord DACs are more true to the digital and analog source than other DACs.
It sounds like OP has listened to many DACs and knows what he likes. So it's unlikely we are going to recommend something that pairs well with Kondo more than he can figure out on his own through demos and listening tests.
But since this is the luxurious Whats best forum .
I d say Wadax made a very nice looking and sounding all in one box player streamer DAC .
I d say Wadax made a very nice looking and sounding all in one box player streamer DAC .
Thanks for all the thoughts. I'm going to do some auditioning in 26, Esoteric, T&A, TAD and EMM Labs all do nice CD/DACs so will take some time over this
May I suggest that, in addition to the excellent Wadia Studio, you consider the all-in-one units offered by Playback Designs.
I've had the new Esoteric N1 for a couple of weeks (I believe it's pretty well run in by now) and I can attest it's pretty special. Harmonically rich but not warm, detailed without sounding overwhelming or sterile and most importantly musical above all else. It really preserves and leans into rhythmic drive, with whip-crack transients that emulate the live experience far better than other digital components I've heard. It's not the type of audio gear that pushes one particular trait over the other, it's all about the gestalt so it may not give you that "wow" factor on initial listen (although I was impressed from the beginning) rather the focus is on the music and making you want to listen more. Bass, vocals, soundstage, all are impressive and class-leading but each isn't emphasized over the other. It's the heart of the music that gets top billing.
"Balanced" is probably the best way to describe it. And addictive, too.
"Balanced" is probably the best way to describe it. And addictive, too.
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