Audio Mirror vs Prima Luna tube DAC

I’ve now demo’ed a Chord Qutest against my Rega. Same result. Qutest at best matches the Rega. Rega is slightly louder which most likely gives it the advantage.  There’s really not much in the chain to go wrong (unless iTunes Player is somehow affecting things - but that's why I brought in my Rotel CD player - to rule out iTunes). 

Rega no longer makes a DAC so considered Denafrips Ares or Pontus VS Schiit Bifrost or Gungnir.  Two supposedly well respected reviewers on another thread didn't have much good to say about Denafrips, so I ruled it out.  Bifrost 4 to 6 weeks out for shipping (I could see that extending in these times), so I pulled the trigger on the well reviewed Gungnir (aka: Gumby).

Really hope the Gumby betters the Rega, but I’m guessing it won’t...

Is there something wrong with the sound that you're getting now that's leading you to try all the different DACs?  

Seems like you've settled that there aren't differences in your system, so maybe the best route would be to keep buying cheaper and cheaper DACs until you find one that finally sounds worse.  Then keep the model right before that one, sell the others, and recoup your money.  

Or, if you really want to know what's possible in your system, just go ahead and get a new MSB Select.  If you can't hear that as different, then you can put the question to rest once and for all.  

Nope, nothing at all wrong with sound in my system. I have a 2nd similar system (Magnepan, PrimaLuna, Rel, Rotel cd player). I want to replace the cd player with computer/dac so I have playlist flexibility, thus the search for a 2nd DAC.

Keep reading all these online reviews of KILLER DACs (primaluna, audiomirror, denafrips, spring, etc) so thought I’d see if one of them could improve sound even more. 3 DACs reviewed made NO DIFFERENCE in sound quality- as many folks claimed.

I pulled trigger on Schiit Gumby. Should arrive this week and will demo.
Hope it tops the Rega, my guess is that to me, it won’t. I think it will sound the same as the Rega.

What really makes a difference in sound quality?
Pick your speakers 1st.
Pick your amp based on your speakers.
Get your room acoustics setup.

Turntable & cartridge differences are HUGE, but I got rid of my vinyl collection back in the 80s so I’m not going back down that road. Vinyl => too much hassle.

cal3713, you’ve got the right idea. I set a $3K ceiling and tried 2 DACs.
Lowered ceiling to $2K and tried the QuTest (often called DAC to beat under 2K). Tried QuTest and ruled it out (no difference again).

How’ed I arrive at Schiit Gumby? Just like all the others - online reviews, research.
Denafrips Ares or Pontus
VS
Schitt Bifrost or Gungnir
are my next 2 sub $2K DACs to try.

Want a silver colored DAC, that ruled out Ares.
Want the DAC within a week or two, that ruled out the Bifrost.
Pontus coming from overseas with MASSIVE amount of hardware parts.
Hardware looks impressive, why so many parts (others noted this).
Schiit made in USA, well reviewed, readily available, & cheaper.

I know someone that I think will loan me a cheaper Schiit model so I can compare it to the Gumby (not sure what model he’s got).

The vast majority of online reviews are from folks with some vested interest in whatever DAC they are reviewing- paid reviewer who's not going to trash a product OR already own the product. 

Torq & Hands over at superbestaudiofriends seem like valid reviewers.
Not every DAC gets a good/great review.  

Same with AmirM over at audiosciencereview.  This guy seems to be loved by some, hated by many.  He seems to just base his reviews on measurements, not actual listening tests. 

Hands review of Denafrips Pontus:
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/denafrips-pontus-dac-impressions.5086/
The Denafrips importer pulled his DACs after getting bad reviews from Torq and Hands (see the 2nd post from Alvin, Vinshine Audio & US imported of Denafrips products).

Hands review of Audio-GD19:
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/audio-gd-singularity-19-dac-comprehensive-re...