I really enjoy my Orchid. If you do go MHDT Orchid buy the Garage 1217 6sn7 and 6922 adapters only $50 shipped for both. If you can solder, if you choose you don’t even have to flip the circuit boards, clip the leads and put in better caps in key areas. From cheap Theta’s to V Caps and between they will all improve the Orchid. With tube adapter upgrade and cap swap for the money you can have a very enjoyable dac.
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I second Murrayburke’s post... If you just need USB or S/PDIF, the BorderPatrol SEi DAC is terrific. I have one and it’s been a mainstay in my system. Nice analog-like sound. It’s an R-2-R with no oversampling and no digital-filter. And for the top of the line its under $2K... I also have the Denafrips Terminator-Plus which is also terrific although a good bit above your $$$ range...
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The Gustard x26 Pro is pticed about the same as the Pontus II and has received very favorable reviews. Not sure if it’s R to R though.
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I use both a Holo May (2-channel) and an MSB Analog DAC (headphones), and I like them both very much...
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I will probably stay with my vintage MSB Platinum which has upgrades. One used should be a good choice.
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@calvinandhobbes I had to dump the Stream Box because it was generating a crinkle noise in my Lamm tube preamp, even through other inputs. Weird. Looking for another streamer in case anyone has any suggestions. Am definitely looking for a Pontus or Holo right now.
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Another +1 for Holo Audio DAC’s. I have a Pro-Ject S2 Ultra and Spring 3 (did not elect the pre-amp option since I wanted their Pre, Serene, both are KTE editions). The Spring 3 uses the same components as the May in NOS mode but is missing the chip and all the features they bring.
It is a marvelous R2R DAC that reminds me of listening to tape, that was my immediate impression anyway. It is that analog sound everyone talks about and never fatiguing. The Serene Pre-Amp was added four months later and has given me all I was looking for in my digital journey.
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The Pontus II is a large step up from the Ares II in sound quality. I also use a Streambox S2 Ultra. Other suggestions are to add an Audioquest Jitterbug noise filter on the USB output from your Streambox.. The best sounding USB cable I've found is a Phasure Lush. I have the original without the custom configurations. It was both smoother in sound as well as more detailed than the Shunyata Venom USB cable and several other cheaper USB cables.
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+1 for the MHDT Labs Orchid. Especially after I rolled the stock tube, it got even better (and it started out sounding very good).
Don't forget the considerable goodness a quality DDC can bring to the DAC party. As soon as I put my new Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2 in-line between the computer & the Orchid (using a quality silver coax cable), that already fine sound got even better.
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Like you, I tried the Ares II and really liked it. I preferred it over my Benchmark DAC that I’d owned for several years. It had a more analog sound, and eliminated the digital glare found in most chip-based DACs. Because I felt there was even more quality to be had in the Denafrips family, I upgraded to the Pontus II, and I’m glad I did. It takes everything good about the Ares and raises it to an entirely new level. I’m satisfied that this is my endgame DAC. I doubt you’ll find anything under $2k that you’ll like any better than the Pontus II.
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MHDT and Denafrips are the best to my ears. An MHDT Pagoda beat out a Metrum Acoustics Pavane in my system. Pontus II beat the Pagoda. YMMV....
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Aries Cerat Kassandra II.
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AudioMirror is an excellent R2R DAC.
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I did a lot online research on this topic and ended up with Holo Spring 3 vs Holo May, decided to go for the May. If my budget was 2k I’d look for a used Spring 3.
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Whilst you mention the Streambox2 you do not mention the rest of your system. I have a Denifrips Ares II and have no intention of changing. I have tried other, perhaps better, DACs in my system that , to me, made no meaningful difference. However a Stack Link certainly did.
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Strecht your budget a little bit to get a significant improvement.
I would say Audio-GD R8-HE Mkii without a doubt.
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Some good alternatives: Holo Audio May, MHDT Orchid, Denefrips Pontus, etc....
But, you can sometimes find the Schitt Yggdrasil R2R Dac in your price range. I really like the Yggy, which gets great reviews. I think I bought mine for around $1900...
I doubt I'd trade it for anything less than the Denefrips Terminator, or Audio Mirror Trubador...
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It’s a pretty easy answer if you like the Aries2 a lot
then the Pontus2 is the obvious answer similar house sound but much better detail bass and everything in between . The Venus would be their best between all very close to the terminator 2 but at $3k
for $2k the Pontus -2 almost impossible to beat ,it’s very well balanced
I owned it the key is how good is your cables ,powercords make a difference
even more so Ethernet cable, I uses uptone ether regen which truly cleans the noise on the digital signal and usb , I like the AQ Diamond , cables as well as Wireworld Platinum 8;cables .
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Yeah, if you like the sound of the Ares the Pontus ll is supposed to be a significant upgrade, so unless you’re looking for different sound characteristics that’s absolutely what I’d do. Best of luck.
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Second a MHDT. I have the Stockholm II wonderful rich sound good bass
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I have an excellent sounding MHDT Orchid which was modified, thus: 8 key resistors replaced and upgraded directly around the tube with a mix of Vishay Zfoils, Audio Note Tantalum non-magnetic and Shinkoh. Also replaced: output caps, changed to VH Audio Audio Vcap Odam 2.2uf. Total cost of DAC and then later mods: $1610
I have A/B'd it against the Denafrips you mention, and it sounds better. It competed decently with the Holo Audio May DAC, but the Holo was better. It is nearly $6k, however.
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There's a Holo Audio Spring KTE version listed on USAM within your budget.
(no affiliation)
From what I've read, the Spring gets you about 80% of the May DAC's sound quality. As a May owner, it has been the most significant upgrade in my system over the years.
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I have a Pontus II and a MHDT Orchid. I like them both.
This reviewer compares the Ares and Pontus II.
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My point of reference is limited since I have not owned many DACs, but as a recent owner of a Pontus II DAC connected to a Lumin U1, I am very satisfied. This seems to also be the take from this reviewer on hifi-advice.
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pontus is obvious next step up in the family
then there is the soekris 1541 or 2541
audio gd also makes some excellent well built cost effective r2r dacs
or mhdt units, with tube buffered output
all offer more ’analog-ness’ and control over unwanted sibilance over the ares 2
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