Kirk100 Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 (edited) Hi all I'm kind of stuck between a couple directions I can take after a few upgrades. Due to my upgrade all my sources are now digital. -RPI3 running Volumio connected to a Geshelli Labs Enog2 Pro DAC -Puffin phono also connected to the Geshelli Labs Enog2 Pro DAC The DAC is running into a line input of my Rotel RC-1580 Preamp and I am using the DAC to switch between coax and toslink inputs. This solution is only temporary while I decide what direction to go. This is rendering the Rotel a little redundant, but I like the synergy between the Rotel and my Audiolab 8000m mono blocks. So the question is: Do I? -Buy another DAC and run each source into a line input of the rotel -Ditch the Rotel and buy a DAC/ digital preamp such as the Eversolo Z8 (or another option) -Buy a digital Pre and run it through the Rotel leaving the Rotel for not much but tone controls and gain Any opinions would be appreciated! Thanks Kirk Edited August 10 by Kirk100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 What is your budget? And what do intend to keep? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk100 Posted August 10 Author Share Posted August 10 @Snoopy8 Keeping: Puffin, Audiolab mono blocks, TT Open to upgrading: RPI3 Possibly replacing: DAC and Rotel Budget: I'd be in the $1000ish mark. So the options I've seen so far would be the eversolo z8, smsl DO300 or similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 What about the Eversolo A6, Matrix Audio Mini i-4, Yamaha R-N800A? All of them are streamer DACs, no need for Pi, one less cable. The only caution with replacing the Rotel is its volume control. Some people prefer analog volume control to digital. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussievintage Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 1 hour ago, Kirk100 said: Open to upgrading: RPI3 If I am understanding properly, you are using coax or toslink out from the rPi to the DAC. I actually believe a USB connection from the rPi to a DAC is the best way to go, and eliminates the need for upgrading and specialist 'hats'. Just, in principle, with the way USB works, you should avoid all sorts of timing/jitter/etc concerns. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk100 Posted August 10 Author Share Posted August 10 4 minutes ago, aussievintage said: If I am understanding properly, you are using coax or toslink out from the rPi to the DAC. I actually believe a USB connection from the rPi to a DAC is the best way to go, and eliminates the need for upgrading and specialist 'hats'. Just, in principle, with the way USB works, you should avoid all sorts of timing/jitter/etc concerns. Sorry I didn't even think to clarify My Pi is a pi3 and the USB is supposedly noise so I have a hifiberry digi hat to get a toslnk out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk100 Posted August 10 Author Share Posted August 10 (edited) 43 minutes ago, Snoopy8 said: What about the Eversolo A6, Matrix Audio Mini i-4, Yamaha R-N800A? All of them are streamer DACs, no need for Pi, one less cable. The only caution with replacing the Rotel is its volume control. Some people prefer analog volume control to digital. While I definitely accept the 'less cables' approach my issue with the A6 is I don't want to have my streamer incorporated into the DAC. I kind of like the flexibility of using the RPI3 and volumio and have a cheap and clearly defined upgrade path if I'm ever unhappy. Also my understanding is neither the A6 or A6 master edition are as good as the Z8 as a standalone DAC? I also agree with having analogue volume, so now maybe I'm thinking I should lean towards getting another basic DAC like the Geshelli Enog3 I am running. Someone local is selling a Topping D50 for $50 that may be a better match for my RPI3 anyway? Seeing both Dacs and streamer are tucked away out of sight the box count isn't a huge deal. Edited August 10 by Kirk100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_m_54 Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 You could replace the hifiberry digi hat with something like IQaudio DAC Pro (or one of the fancier ones) and eliminate the Geshelli Labs Enog2 Pro DAC.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk100 Posted August 10 Author Share Posted August 10 Just now, bob_m_54 said: You could replace the hifiberry digi hat with something like IQaudio DAC Pro (or one of the fancier ones) and eliminate the Geshelli Labs Enog2 Pro DAC.. I investigated that when I got the digi hat. The reason I went with a digi hat was because my understanding was the DAC hats were inferior in terms of bang for buck to an external. That's a good idea though, looking into it now 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussievintage Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 9 minutes ago, Kirk100 said: Sorry I didn't even think to clarify My Pi is a pi3 and the USB is supposedly noise so I have a hifiberry digi hat to get a toslnk out. I had a feeling you would have heard that. I never had any problems using USB on a Pi3, and I think that's because I use Wifi as my network connection. The reported problems were to do with how the USB and ethernet wired connections interact, and even then, maybe not a problem. But using Wifi, never ANY problems at all. I have since moved onto a Pi4, but mostly because I could and also wanted to play with using Camilla DSP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 5 hours ago, Kirk100 said: My Pi is a pi3 and the USB is supposedly noise so I have a hifiberry digi hat to get a toslnk out. A Gieseler USB Reinigen will fix any issue with noise. More importantly, this will be the best upgrade for money that you can make; the SQ jump will beat any streamer or DAC upgrade that you are considering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk100 Posted August 10 Author Share Posted August 10 @Snoopy8 problem is I'd still need a DAC as I have nothing with a USB input Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted August 10 Share Posted August 10 5 minutes ago, Kirk100 said: @Snoopy8 problem is I'd still need a DAC as I have nothing with a USB input Oh! My bad... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk100 Posted August 12 Author Share Posted August 12 So I nervously pulled the trigger on an Eversolo Z8 and it was the best choice I've ever made! Just wow! The Z8 feels like a true pre which was one of my concerns. Soundstage and instrument seperation is next level. Thanks everyone for sharing their thoughts 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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