So, I want to upgrade my DAC in my home theater, main room system.
I am currently using an SMSL SU8 (not the newer one). Its fine, but looking to upgrade.
The chain…
Streamer (Raspberry Pi) → (DAC) → Denon X3700H (acting as a pre-amp, for now) → Parasound A23+ → ELAC Uni-Fi 2.0’s Floorstanders (UF52).
I also have a turntable connected, but (obviously) won’t be used for that.
Looking at the Denafrips Ares II or the Bifrost 2, but open to suggestion.
I’m currently also using the SU8 and I’m hoping to upgrade to the Ares in the next year.
I read so many amazing things about it and R2R also sounds so beautiful… I can’t really descrube what I mean with ‘beautiful’. It’s not more basy or clearer or… just… idk!
Some of the DAC specific stuff, I can get on board with…amp discussion that follows, not so much. Starts getting to far into objective measurement territory for my taste.
Try and get a demo of the Chord Qutest as well.
how to make de arrows?? ple help
Just like this →
‘->’ (dash and greater then without space in between) automatically becomes →
Why even have / use this configuration?
Why not upgrade the Rasberry to something with digital output. Pi → Denon and leave the dac out.
Huh?
I don’t understand… The Raspberry Pi has digital outputs. That is why there’s a need for a DAC. A DAC, digital-to-analog converter, will then convert that digital signal from the pi to an analog output which the Denon can then receive (via one of it’s 1.000.000 RCA in’s 
)
Why then need DAC?
Denon can take digital signal as well. 
Probably was thinking that a PI with HDMI output → HDMI denon input.
No need for (digital-to-analog converter).
Thats what I don’t understand… why make things more complicated?
aaaah. I see I see. Didn’t even think of that!
I’m gonna assume he’s using a pihat or something, which gives you AES or I²S or coaxial out to give him higher bitrates or DSD support?
Or he doesn’t like the sound of the Denon DAC?
Or he mentioned ‘for now’ because it will in the future no longer be part of his system?
idk
Comparison with BF2 coming soon!