Do you use a external DAC?

#1

Hello all,

Curious if owners of Hifi Rose streamers (I have the 150b) use an external DAC instead of the internal DAC of the Hifi Rose and if so what benefits do you hear.

I am very satisfied with the sound of the 150b and I believe Hifi Rose did a great job incorporating high end internal components to support the sound quality, including the DAC, for the 150b. But would I get better sound beyond what I have today with an external DAC?

I was thinking about the Holo Spring 3. In my setup I have very resolving / detailed speakers and headphones along with a high quality headphone amp. The only area of my component chain that I am unsure on is the DAC.

I welcome your input.

#2

Hello, an external dac is not said to be better so much that it can justify the expense. At best, I think it’s just different in timbre and maybe you might like it better. The dac aboard the Rose 150b is of the highest quality. You should try this in your setup first…

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#3

Can’t speak for the RS150B (I’m using only a RS250 and there nearly every external DAC is better…), but the SQ isn’t only defined by the DAC itself. It’s more the integration, the oszis, the opamps,…
And R2R DACS like the Holo or Denafrips are very special. Not perfect (but good) measures, but a sound, which can be more satisfied, than the sound from the RS150B.
I’m using on another system the exaSound e68, which is also “very musical” (not only reproducing).
But you’ve to try it out for yourself.

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#4

The internal DAC in the RS150B sounds great. However, I generally prefer the sound through my McIntosh MDA1000 external DAC. I switch between them.

I find the MDA1000 has a little more defined bass. But the Soundstage through the builtin DAC of the RS150B is a bit more defined.

I have also tried using both as straight pre-amps into my McIntosh Power Amp. But I prefer the sound through my McIntosh C220 tube preamp.

Are you using the RS150B through a preamp, or are you using it as the preamp? I think that combination will provide a bigger impact to the sound you are getting now. DACs offer far less differences than the rest of the electronics as long you are comparing high end DACs.

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#5

Currently I am using the preamp / out of the Hifi Rose 150b. I am thinking about getting an External R2R DAC with an onboard preamp card built in. Not sure if this will be a benefit or not but the DAC is super highly rated and from what is published adds a whole new level to most existing all in ones that use the ESS 9038 Pro chip.

#6

Published articles depend clicks and money from advertizers. “Dac sounds like many other” does not generate clicks :wink:

Spend your money on speakers, very good electric to soundwave conversion has much more effect then digital to analog.

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