Adding a Dac and Stresmer

Sgreg1,

I agree that the Gustard R26 is a very good DAC that should be in the conversation when looking at R2R DACs, but don’t agree with the blanket statement “almost all preferred the Gustard” over Denafrips. Which Denafrips DAC are we talking about? Did they do a side by side comparison in their system?

There are four recommendations for the Denafrips Pontus II just in this thread.

For R2R DACs In addition to the Gustard R26 I would recommend considering Holo Audio Spring III and May DACs, Musician Aquarius, and Denafrips Pontus II and Terminator series…..all of which I’ve demo’d in my system. I can’t recommend more than that, as I haven’t done a head to head comparison.

Happy listening!

Pontus is great sounding DAC with lots of flexibility and potential. For streamer I would suggest to look towards units with separate linear power supply. I think your price range will allow it. 

I did up my price range to 7000 to 8000, I am thinking maybe the Auralic Aries G1.1….some where in that range…

Was going to recommend Goldnote DS10 ($3000) + PSU10 Evo($1400) at your original budget.  Simple one-box DAC/streamer with optional power supply.  I have this combo in my big rig as a roon endpoint.  A few months ago I did a DAC shootout with a friend: my Goldnote vs DCS Bartok (his) vs Okto Research DAC8 Stereo (mine) vs. Mytek Brooklyn (his).  I actually preferred the sound of the DS10 over the Bartok - to my ears the Goldnote was a more “musical”, fuller sounding DAC.  The Bartok spanked the other two DACs.  (And for the record, my friend preferred the Bartok.  We were listening in his system, which included a Boulder integrated and Avalon speakers.)

I'm also in the market for a DAC and streamer, and I want to keep them separate components as well.  My pre is a venerable Proceed AVP and a BPA2 dual mono.

I don't use the DAC in the BlueSound node as it sounds like fm radio compared to the DAC in the AVP.  The Digital out is decent, however not great in that either. As an example, I ran a digital out from a NAD c542 CD player into the AVP and it also sounded better than the dig out from the Bluesound. 

So I'm hearing my Bluesound node is the limiting factor in my audio chain.

Speakers are Focal Aria 936.  I'm told the Denafrips Pontus is a good match for the somewhat bright sound of the Focals, and I'll likely go that route.

Streamers, however are very much up in the air.  I'm was surprised to hear a difference between digital outs between the NAD c542 and the Bluesound Node, and the 20yr old CD player sounded better than the BS node. the NAD c542 isn't renowned as a great CD player... imo.

So, the digital feed CAN be heard and can make a big difference if your overall system is sensitive enough.  Also, the pairing and overall synergy comes into play. 

Would love to hear comments of Auralic G1.1 Vs.  Cambridge CXN v2.  Maybe I'll start a thread on that.  clearly those two devices should be in different weight classes, and I wonder if the Auralic is 3x or 4x the sonic improvement. 

The Auralic G1.1 is very well reviewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JogQq-H7Mw

The Gustard DAC here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_YWaOc7nhU

ABA may be an industry shill for all I know but at least he does differentiate the levels of equipment and he articulates the sonic characteristics of gear as well, which I find very helpful.

Auralic has a 10% restock fee, so if you don't like it, that restocking fee is significant.

The Goldnote looks like a excellent Dac, I like the switch that turns off the preamp section…first impression..

I think you can get the Auralic at upscale for a 60 review with no stocking fee. Double check first …

Right now for DACs I am thinking about the Metrum Pavane, Pontus, AND Holo audios May Dac…Streamer Auralic G1.1 ….that could all change when I hear back from someone….

Depending on budget I would agree about Pontus II as best bang for the buck in your system. If you can afford it the Venus II is noticeably better but only by a few percent depending on the resolution of your system.

A Lumin U1 Mini with linear power supply is more than adequate. Or the newer U2 Mini.

I have a Lumin U1 (full size) running into a Venus II into Icon Audio Stereo 300 mkII  (sometimes Stereo 40 mkIV) and Forte IV speakers in my main system now. The system is more resolving and musical than you could ever imagine those fun speakers being capable of.

@Silverfox:  you are correct, the Auralic via Upscale only charges shipping.  Nice tip, thanks!

Hi, I use the Holo Audio May KTE DAC ($5000) and recently got their Red streamer/DDC ($1000). Both are hooked up to a tube pre and a tube amp. The sound is amazing. Deap amd wide Soundstage with great sense of space, great instrument seperation. A full bodied, lush and as natural as I ever experienced sounding combination. I also have the Lab 12 Reference DAC and it sounds thin in comparison to the May.

I have to be honest. I did not know anything about streamers and dad's. My first system consisted of ML ESL !! A's and a Linn streamer. The system has expanded but the streamed is still in play. It has the ability to act as a streamer/amp, a streamer/pre amp, or just as a line source. I am very happy with this streamer

@gilaad 

I seem to be heading down a similar path as yourself. Can I ask what I2S cables you are using (assuming that I2S is your choice) at the moment? What else have you considered? 

Thanks in advance! 

@soix   This is the exact digital front end I am using, Innuos Pulse Mini to Iris to Pontus II via I2S.  The Pulse Mini running the Sense app was a big step up from the Roon Nucleus I was using as a streamer with Roon even though I am a big fan of Roon. I also have a Keces P3 LPS powering the Pulse Mini.  Very resolving and hard to beat for the total cost I believe (especially used).  My next step is to install the Denafrips firmware upgrade for the Pontus II that is supposed to be another improvement in performance.

@tom2441 Nice!!!  Did you notice a big upgrade adding the LPS?  I know it’s a big upgrade for the Zen Mini but you’re the first I’ve heard who’s added one to the Pulse Mini so very curious about your impressions.  Careful with the Pontus upgrade — some say it adds detail but sacrifices some of the warmth they liked while others really liked it and not sure if you can switch back after the upgrade.  FWIW. 

If you can find one used, I would highly recommend the MSB Analog DAC and Power Base with their renderer.  It is a great DAC/streamer and fantastic 3D soundstage.  I upgraded to that from a Naim NDX which was also a nice DAC/streamer, but not in the same league as the MSB Analog.

@soix I never actually tried it without the LPS as I had it already set up and just plugged it in.  My guess is that it was an incremental improvement but my real surprise was with the Sense app and the quality versus using Roon.  I didn’t want it to be given how good the Roon interface is but the sound quality difference was obvious.

And thanks for the heads up on the Pontus firmware upgrade.  I read the string discussing the pros and cons on here and think I'll wait until the consensus is clear!

And here I am, reading stresmeter... thinking "dear, I need one - that I would most likely never read..." Oh, well. Cognac is good. If weather did not go "f@ckyall", I'd be having a nice double maduro cigar on my patio. I have a nice pair of Focal speakers there...
Oh, yes: in the main system I am using Magnum Dynalab MD806t - but that is only for internet radio, FM and streaming my burned CDs (I have it all stored on NAS). I do not like an idea of a monthly payment for anything, including music and especially TV... When you combine all of those monthly payments over just one year, it surprises you how much they are milking away from just one family. However, maybe I am not that good example of an average consumer. We all have different priorities, and I am guilty as charged: my everyday cartridge is Koetsu Rosewood Signature. I am sure I could have bought a nice DAC, streamer, and maybe one year of streaming for the same amount of money. 

@gilaad Thank you for sharing your impressions about the Holo Audio Red. I'm also interested in purchasing it for my second system (home office). A couple of questions if you can answer them ... can it act as a Roon endpoint? Also, does the IS2 out work with Denafrips DACs like Pontus 2?

Bryston was mentioned, they make great sounding products and an excellent company too. Ayre is another company you may want to consider. A friend of mine uses an Audionote DAC and really likes it. 

You can consider the Musician Pegasus DAC which is an R2R DAC, and a SMSL SD-9 streamer. The streamer even supports I2S, and so does the DAC. I2S is sonically superior to other interfaces.

Aurender is an excellent streamer with a great app. A big improvement in sound quality from Bluesound Node2 and has a detailed and natural sound as opposed to overly warm sound of Lumin streamer that I used to have. 

@mhutama What Aurender? What Lumin? 

@wsrrsw Aurender N100H and Lumin T2