[ianperry]

Hello everyone,

I've been watching and reading this forum for quite some time (around a yr ago), around the same time I received my BAM speaker from Louis. I enjoy the posts here and thankful to you all learning how to maximize the quality of these amazing single-driver/crossover-less speakers. First time I heard the BAM when it was delivered I was initially unimpressed (in a bigger room) - it was so light like no bass at all (also I tested mostly pop and some mellow rock like Eagles, Journey, etc).  but then when I moved the BAM in my bedroom I was blown away by the midrange details and the vocal transparency (with sweetness especially when listening to female vocals). For a moment I stopped analysing the lows/mids/highs and just enjoying the music.. I tried multiple amps and so far my favorite combo was a an old Plinius integrated amp (with SMSL SU-1 DAC) which I sold already to fund my upcoming decware zen (~early next yr). I like the AKM DAC of that SMSL but it became just a paper weight after it died just 2 months of usage   I am now looking to find a replacement for that DAC to pair with my future decware zen and BAM on a small bedroom desktop setup. Right now I am just using a cheap Fosi BT10A class D which sounds OK with cheap creative USB DAC.. I am looking at below USD 600 price point. Any idea if a tube DAC like Fosi GR40 would enhance the BAM's musicality? how about Chord Mojo2 or Geshelli Labs J2 with Sparkos OpAmps? Thanks in advance!

Pardon for my poor writing as English is not my mother tongue language.

[mick wolfe]

 Flyinsky AD1865 R2R Tube DAC. $225 @ Amazon. Low risk as you have at least a 30 day audition/return option. I prefer it to a couple of the pricier DAC's I have on hand. Leans nicely to the "music lover" side of the equation.

[ianperry]

Thank you Mick.

30day trial is really something I like in Amazon. May I know how long do you have this DAC now? Reason I ask is I am very concerned about durability because of my bad experience with SMSL SU1.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Go the used route.  Look for a used Schiit Audio Bifrost.  New they are $799.  Or a used Chord Qutest.  Do not cheap out on a DAC.  That goes for all audio gear.  Buy what you can afford otherwise you will be looking for a new dac in a couple of years.  That Decaware amp will demand quality gear to sound its best.  Just my honest opinion.  Others may disagree.   You do not want to spend good money after bad.  There are a lot of good inexpensive DACs but I have done so many DAC shootouts and the more expensive ones always, I mean always have come out on top.

[mick wolfe]

Thank you Mick.

30day trial is really something I like in Amazon. May I know how long do you have this DAC now? Reason I ask is I am very concerned about durability because of my bad experience with SMSL SU1.

I've had the Flyinsky DAC 6+ months. No issues whatsoever. It's solid and very well built, rather hefty in fact. Internal lay-out is neat and simple. You plug it into the wall, power strip or conditioner of your choice.... no wall warts or external power supplies to deal with. If I were to guess the price without knowing, I'd easily put it in the $500+ category, but sub $1K. With this all said, no one including myself can truly predict long term reliability. But the internals are well laid out in a simple and accessible manner as mentiioned already. If there is a major caveat, it would be that it only accepts a coax as an input with L & R RCA outputs.

[ianperry]

Thanks for sharing your experience with this DAC. It looks like well built from the Amazon pics.

Yeah I can see it's coax in only.. so it means I will need to add a converter or USB to coax cable like this https://www.amazon.com/coaxial-Digital-Interface-Adapter-Amplifier/dp/B0BW3SHBSL?th=1

[ianperry]

I am intrigued with Bifrost and have been reading good reviews as well. Can you share your experience with it when it's used as source to Alnico speaker setup? Regarding Qutest, price is steep for me ( I prefer bnew) and I'm worried about it being analytical w/o enough lush midrange (but maybe can be smoothened by the decware?). From price point perspective I think I can stretch the budget to $799 Bifrost price level. Thanks

Go the used route.  Look for a used Schiit Audio Bifrost.  New they are $799.  Or a used Chord Qutest.  Do not cheap out on a DAC.  That goes for all audio gear.  Buy what you can afford otherwise you will be looking for a new dac in a couple of years.  That Decaware amp will demand quality gear to sound its best.  Just my honest opinion.  Others may disagree.   You do not want to spend good money after bad.  There are a lot of good inexpensive DACs but I have done so many DAC shootouts and the more expensive ones always, I mean always have come out on top.

[FullRangeMan]

What prob do you have with the SMSL DAC ?

[ianperry]

The DAC died after 2 months only (bnew).

[FullRangeMan]

Too bad. Seems quality control fail.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I haven't heard the bifrost with all allnico.
The Qutest has a good midrange.   Upgrading to a LPS, even a cheap Chinese Teradak, greatly improves the sound.  It is sensitive to USB Cable changes as well. My son owns one.

If you can afford it, go with the schiit.  It is also American made so if anything goes wrong,  service is easy.  They also have a 15 day return policy.

I am like you, I like a lush midrange.   That is why I bought a Luxman DA-06 DAC for its warmer rich full midrange.

[AllanS]

I’ve had a Bifrost 2 (not the current 2/64) for getting on 4 years.  It, along with the 5 other pieces of Schiit gear I’ve owned or own, have been rock solid.  I can’t say that about any other mfg I’ve had the past few years.  Repairs have all been covered under warranty but you’re on the hook for shipping one direction which gets expensive even for smaller pieces of gear.

One thing to be aware of if shopping used Schiit is the warranties are pretty generous (basically 2 yrs wall wart stuff / 5 yr IEC stuff) but aren’t transferable.  Used asking prices are also often not aren’t far off new.

I replaced the Bifrost in the system a few months ago with an Eversolo DMP A8 which I find took the edge off some upper frequency stuff.  I wouldn’t call the Bifrost bright.  I’m just particularly sensitive to certain upper frequencies, especially piano and violin.

I’m not the most discerning listener so you may want to lean on the more experienced ears to describe details.  I just found the Bifrost, along with all the other Schiit gear to provide a pleasant and engaging sound with good sound stage presentation.

PM me if interested in used.  Good luck!

[ianperry]

Thanks I'll consider the LPS upgrade as well since they are not so expensive. Seems Chord, Schiit are the more reliable DAC brands (for sub 1000 price range).

I haven't heard the bifrost with all allnico.
The Qutest has a good midrange.   Upgrading to a LPS, even a cheap Chinese Teradak, greatly improves the sound.  It is sensitive to USB Cable changes as well. My son owns one.

If you can afford it, go with the schiit.  It is also American made so if anything goes wrong,  service is easy.  They also have a 15 day return policy.

I am like you, I like a lush midrange.   That is why I bought a Luxman DA-06 DAC for its warmer rich full midrange.

[ianperry]

Thanks for sharing your experience owning Schiit DAC.

Yup me too, my mid 40s ears - I am sure has degraded over time.. So I'm not really aiming to reach the best of the best.. still have to stick to my budget 

I’ve had a Bifrost 2 (not the current 2/64) for getting on 4 years.  It, along with the 5 other pieces of Schiit gear I’ve owned or own, have been rock solid.  I can’t say that about any other mfg I’ve had the past few years.  Repairs have all been covered under warranty but you’re on the hook for shipping one direction which gets expensive even for smaller pieces of gear.

One thing to be aware of if shopping used Schiit is the warranties are pretty generous (basically 2 yrs wall wart stuff / 5 yr IEC stuff) but aren’t transferable.  Used asking prices are also often not aren’t far off new.

I replaced the Bifrost in the system a few months ago with an Eversolo DMP A8 which I find took the edge off some upper frequency stuff.  I wouldn’t call the Bifrost bright.  I’m just particularly sensitive to certain upper frequencies, especially piano and violin.

I’m not the most discerning listener so you may want to lean on the more experienced ears to describe details.  I just found the Bifrost, along with all the other Schiit gear to provide a pleasant and engaging sound with good sound stage presentation.

PM me if interested in used.  Good luck!

[FullRangeMan]

Unfortunately the Luxman DA-06 DAC not cheap.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

No, the Luxman is not cheap and I was not recommending it.   Although, they can be had used for about $1600.  They were going for $6k when they first came out and then they lowered the price to 5k.  I bought mine direct from Japan for $2800. I love it.
The reviews were spot on. Warmer tone, musical, analog sounding.  Not overly detailed.  Female vocals really shine.  Punchy bass with slight bloom.  My kind of sound.  I will keep it until I die even though I may eventually buy a new dac.

[FullRangeMan]

It match well with a Class D amp?

[Freo-1]

One DAC I can recommend is the Bel Canto 2.8. The TI 1792A DAC chip is still a TOTL component, and the folks at Bel Canto did an amazing job with it. 

[Jon L]

One DAC I can recommend is the Bel Canto 2.8. The TI 1792A DAC chip is still a TOTL component

TI 1794 DAC chip (same as 1792A chip without software control) is a great-sounding chip, and I am really liking the SQ from paralleled TI 1794 x4 in the XiangSheng DAC05A II with some op-amp rolling..
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/xiangsheng-dac-05a-thoughts.851940/page-5

[I.Greyhound Fan]

It match well with a Class D amp?

Are you asking about the Luxman, if so, it sounds great with the Marantz Class D PM-10 and KI Ruby.