Dac: Does anyhting beat the Schiit Gungnir Multibit (Gumby) in the same price range?

Well, the Yggy is the Gumby's bigger brother.  A modded Yggy is better yet.  People have upgraded from Gumby to Yggy and are very happy.  But they have not heard these new less expensive toys.....and these better sounding cheaper units are more versatile as well. LKS can also do DSD512, has I2S input, has 7 digital filter selections and digital volume control too.

Sounds like digital, spdif, and 16/44 are not dead yet and the price vs performance value is also getting better, quickly. 

Does it beat the schiit gungir multibit Gumby?

Wow, things change fast.  My friend got in the $1600 LKS MH-DA004 DAC and cold out of the box it beat his modified Yggy.  Now he has modded the LKS (with my instructions) and he says its as good as his $20,000 turntable system and that is playing 16/44 using a Beatis server and coax into a modified IFI spdif Ipurifer and modified LKS.  I have my own modded LKS here and it is really sweet........however, I did two more things to the modded OPPO Sonica last night and it is now really really close to the sound of the modded LKS....crazy....and its only $1200 with mods!   It has digital volume control, DSD512 capability, WIFI streaming, ethernet input and you can plug a hard drive or thumb drive into it and play without a computer......Wowie Zowie!

@abramsmatch

Thanks for that very helpful followup post, Mr. Match :-)

Definitely provided me with a more complete understanding of the Gungnir MB’s performance.

Appreciate you taking the time to supply all those details.

Best regards.

You’re welcome Mr. House:) (and gdnrbob!) So as to your questions, La Voce is probably in the 3000.00 US range retail and if you get a 15 percent discount or so, that means maybe 2650.00 US. As for the Gungnir Multibit, I bought mine new from Schiit for 1249.00 US. So this is a REALLY impressive thing that a 1250.00 DAC plays on the same field with a DAC that’s at least twice as expensive. That means Gumby is No Joke; a superb value-for-money product! By the way- read my comments about it being ’forward’ or more insistent in the mids or treble ONLY in comparison to La Voce; NOT in an absolute sense! It is also relatively slightly ’thinner’ tonally (but La Voce may be ’thicker’ than many). But Gumby is a superbly balanced product in absolute terms and built like a tank! I just think it lacks a frisson of the sonic ’magic’ that for ME (and it’s just here my own sonic preference) La Voce gets. (This may just be the slight warmth and expansiveness I’m addicted to). And this is primarily with classical/opera and jazz because I listen to very little rock or rap etc, though some stuff like Cat Power or The Radio Department during Sunday brunch. (God, listen to me-- I sound sooooo elitist- but if that were true I’d have a DCS stack! Not La Voce and Gumby;)
La Voce has hundreds of hours of play time and Gumby has probably (I’m guessing here!) more than 200 hours but less than 500? It has been left on continuously though for many months in my headphone system (where it sees occasional 2 to 4 hour plays), prior to being moved to the speaker system. Though, when I first got it I played it continuously for a four or five days to burn it in (which I 100 percent absolutely and unequivocally believe in! All my audio gear benefits from burn in- or break-in, as I call it. I’ve almost never heard a piece that didn’t get better with some play time on it). Incidentally, someone whom I trust has just told me that the USB inputs on La Voce and La Scala may sound better than the XLR input I enjoy due to ’proprietary I2S signal transfer’. I’m not in any way shape or form an engineering type so zero clue what that means, and I’ve yet to hear the DAC that didn’t benefit from a great USB converter (like the Yellowtec PUC Lite or Singxer F-1 I use), but I will go back and try using the USB input on La Voce just to see what’s up...
I have certainly tried using USB on Gumby and I feel there is not enough extension in the highs and bass/dynamics are slightly truncated as compared with BNC or RCA inputs and a good converter. This is WITH using my ifi USB 2.0 or ifi ipurifier2 or Wyred Recovery! As for IC’s, I am using Skywire 1400 Interconnects which were the favorites (long ago) of Bound For Sound magazine (what in hell happened to them??! They disappeared and I loved them!!). They are pretty neutral as compared with other favorite cables I’ve used such as Audio Art SE’s and Nordost Heimdal (both of which may be just a touch more lit up/’exciting’). I am using a Chord Silver Plus USB cable at the moment and I’m running a good generic CAT 7 ethernet cable (Tera Grand- nice improvement to my ears despite my disbelief over my old el cheapo Cat 5) into my SOTM SMS-200 renderer powered by Sbooster 12V Linear Power supply (best most natural front end I’ve ever used! Yes- there WAS a step up over my mac mini though I didn’t believe there would be, bits being bits and all:) Definitely more ’organic’ sounding and less digital!

@abramsmatch
Thanks for posting your listening impressions. A few follow up questions, please. And, if I missed this info in your posts, my apologies. Price for the Aqua HiFi La Voce S2? I’ve seen a 2014 price of 2180 Euro. Does that seem reasonable? I’m thinking, depending on exchange rate, a Gungnir w/MB might be about $1000 US lower price?? What sort of hours did you have on the Gungnir MB vs Aqua S2? Wondering how much, if at all, time-in-use might have contributed to what you experienced - though I appreciate your comments about the kind of input employed. Finally, what ICs are you using on the outputs from these DACs? Not trying to pick a fight on the price question. Just curious. Thanks for the input. Sent my Gungnir in for the MB mod last week.

@abramsmatch 
A very nice and thoughtful review. Thank You.
Bob

As an addendum, for the past few days I’ve left both DACs fired up and have continued to switch periodically from Schiit to Aqua, Aqua to Schiit and so forth (I’m currently listening to the Beethoven Cello and Piano sonatas with Simone Dinnerstein on piano) and I’ve noticed a potentially very interesting thing about La Voce in so doing. This is something that I’ve only seen mentioned in the review of the Aqua La Scala II DAC on The Ear website; namely that La Voce too seems to have a different sonic character depending on input. Whereas my Gumby has no XLR input to test this theory with (I’ve been using a Canare impedance converter from XLR to BNC out of my AES converter), my Aqua DAC does. So previously I had been switching back and forth between the XLR input of my Aqua and BNC input of my Gumby. (It is pretty well accepted that BNC or RCA on Gumby sound better than USB and that is immediately apparent to me, even when using Recovery re-clocker or my ifi USB 2.0 with split USB cable etc). In any case, Aqua’s XLR digital input sounds a bit warmer and more expansive than it’s own BNC input (using same impedance converter with BNC cable) and the leading edges of percussion and stringed instruments are not quite as intense. In other words- it may be slightly warmer and less forward with perhaps a touch less impact, but a spacier stage. (Incidentally, The Ear guy preferred the balanced input on the La Scala to BNC and settled down with that one and I think I will too). It’s a small difference, but one that seems consistently audible despite varying program material. Thus, we come to the (hopefully) relevant upshot; La Voce sounds closer to Gumby when you use La Voce’s BNC input! When you use XLR digital input, then La Voce is immediately warmer and more rounded than Gumby. The delta is greater. On the whole, regardless of input, I am still preferring La Voce’s expansiveness and slightly airier/bigger-boned and maybe even more grainless presentation of voices and strings and piano, though Gumby remains punchier, with more mid bass drive and a slightly more upfront character. Image outlines with Gumby are also more exactly drawn. For example, with Gumby driving, Center stage is definitely right friggin’ razor sharp smack dab center stage! La Voce is not quite as sure where the EXACT middle is:)
In any case, I should have been comparing BNC input to BNC input all along, but who knew the XLR and BNC inputs on La Voce would sound different!? Oh yeah-- that reviewer from The Ear did! :) That guy has a good ’Ear.’ I’m here all night folks! Here all night! ;)
I mention this because it may be well to keep this sonic input difference in mind when you read comparisons of DACs like the Aqua to the Schiit gear. This may also be how one guy hears it ’like so,’ and another hears it as ’less warm’ or more this way or that way. Then of course, this being the interweb, they call each other’s mommas names. Inputs here can and do make a difference especially in such subtle back and forth comparisons and it seems this might even be enough to sway someone one way or the other, especially on short-term listening, Now my apologies if you know this, and I certainly had an idea about it, but this particular DAC-off drove this point home for me much more poignantly; hence this addendum! Sir yes sir! Just trying to serve my community and be the best Audiogoner I can be, sir!  Now what was that about my momma!!??? 

If this helps at all (maybe not?), I spent a few hours just now (okay 5 or 6 hours) listening to my Gumby vs. my Aqua HiFi La Voce S2 (with the Gumby having been on for a day and La Voce likewise). I listened to lots of string quartets, Mozart’s piano concertos with Murray Perahia, Boris Berezovsky’s Chopin Etudes, Jan Lisiecki’s Chopin Etudes, Bach trios with yo yo Ma in MQA via Room/Tidal as well as Madeline Peyroux Standing on the Rooftop (such low bass and staging/great recording!) and some Melody Gardot albums along with the requisite Bill Evans audiophile fare:) (Of course! I wanna be legit!)

Impressions on the Gumby (which usually resides in my rarely used headphone system in the office; I prefer speakers and likely always will) are that with it, the soundstage took a step forward; there was more mid-bass punch and the lowest lows (The Peyroux album has got some for sure!) were a bit deeper; the lower registers of piano were more defined in terms of pitch (i.e. not as muddied; more like distinct lower notes) and there was in general more detail on offer overall. Things were just over all more ’specific and precise’ sounding on Gumby than La Voce. First I thought, "man- I shoulda done this shootout before! Maybe I’ll promote Gumby to the Main Stage and send La Voce down to the minors with Tebow!" I see what people are talking about.

But after a few more hours (stayed inside all day:( At least with classical music, despite (because of?) more detail, more accuracy (easier to hear differences immediately in recording venue and quality etc),, better low bass pitch definition and more mid bass ’punch’ when on the recording, I ended up feeling (at least for today!) that La Voce was the more ’livable’ product. I think it was the (comparatively) more forward presentation and insistent low treble/upper mids with Gumby that was a tiny bit wearing after a fashion- though I kept getting pulled back in by the sparkling detail and its superior way with dynamics. Soft to loud was definitely broader in range. Stage width was close- nod might go to Gumby. Definitely better at sussing out details on the extreme stage edge,

Though I missed the punchier, more detailed (but somehow not quite as spacious sounding?) sound of Gumby, I felt like I could relax into the music more when switching back to La Voce after a Gumby session with the same recording. (My neck went ’thank you!’ and my head sunk deeper into couch). At times depending on recording, I was actually getting a bit ’tense’ with Gumby serving the notes- (but my brain was saying ’You must like this! Like this! You’re an audiophile! It’s more detailed... it’s more accurate... You get the idea).

I can totally see now what some people mean by the bit of smearing of sound with even a good NOS DAC like La Voce but this smearing seems to add a touch of what sounds to me like ambience or ’air’ around the proceedings. (I have read somewhere or other; maybe on that site where everyone is best friends with everyone else? that multi-bit DACS like Gumby’s don’t sound as ’spacious’ as some despite having more detail, due to their elimination of pre and post ’ringing’ occurring in technologies like delta/sigma conversion (standard Gumby). Maybe imagine a grand piano in a hall. You sneak onto the stage and strike a high treble note and then another seconds later. With Gumby, the decay seems to die away a bit quicker maybe? There isn’t as much a ’lingering echo’ effect. The first note seemingly ’stops’ more quickly and there is more silence in between notes struck seconds apart.

In any case, the air with La Voce may be an artifact, as it seems clear to me that the Schiit provides a more detailed and dynamic analysis of the recordings I played.
Both DACs seem to have great PRaT and while La Voce is not at all syrupy, it is definitely slightly warmer and as I say, a bit more ummm.... smeared(?) than the Gungnir Multi to my ear, and maybe this is what I’m actually digging (at least with the stuff I listen to). Makes things sound more like a guy playing a big resonant piano in a spacious hall than a precisely done recording session with microphones arrayed just so...

With stadium rock or Jimmy Buffet, or Warren Buffet, or anything hard-driving I’m betting many people will prefer the punchier, more lit-up, precise (that’s definitely the word I’m looking for!) front and center sound of Gumby.

I owned a Chord Hugo for a while btw, and that DAC while extremely detailed and punchy/pacey, ultimately left me cold as I felt it was to the colder side of the rainbow; definitely as Darko tells us, ’brighter’ than Gumby, which, also as Darko says, is in turn ’brighter’ than La Voce. In fact, I sold my Hugo after a few weeks because i couldn’t relax with it. Ironically, it didn’t sound as natural to me as less resolving DACs. Too much ’accuracy" strikes again:) It’s the old ’do you wanna hear everything they did at the recording session or feel the Gestalt of the music that emanated from it?" thing for me.


Incidentally, Gumby does in some regards remind me of my long ago sold Theta DAC in that is has that same great wallop and detail. Makes sense as the same guy is behind it.

So for now- at least for today, i may stick with La Voce S2 as my main room DAC and send Gumby to the ’gon or back to my headphone system. Truly an exciting and detailed and (probably?) more ’accurate’ listen, but I ended up for today feeling like Gumby is a ’viable alternative for some’ to La Voce instead of my champion.

Btw, I also understand now the very few negative things I’ve read online about Aqua DACs (like one bad review and a guy selling his etc). If I came to La Voce after, say, a Chord Mojo or 2Qute or Hugo-- for the first hour I’d probably be going ’wow- warmer! where’s the detail!!’. But ultimately we see where that led my Hugo; out to pasture, while La Voce has a comfortable space in my console.

If you go back and forth between Gumby and La Voce though, the difference isn’t as shocking but it’s pretty darn apparent, and when it hits you and you begin to come to terms with the real gist of it, it seems one presentation will grow on you or the other; depending probably on listening tastes and whether you or your system lean yin, yang or Warren Buffet (who probably couldn’t give a crap about any of this despite being able to buy literally our entire small-niche hobby;)

PS- I reserve the right to change my mind tomorrow as to which DAC I prefer. Maybe I’ll come to my senses. Accuracy over beauty... Accuracy over beauty... accuracy over....

Mmmm.. difficult question to answer.

'Different' is easy, but 'better'? That's highly subjective.

In that price range, I like both the Teac UD-503 and Yulong Sabre DA8 MKII (distributed through Grant Fidelity).

Love my Gumby. Great DAC in the $1250 price range.

I auditioned both the Gumby multibit and Metrum Musette at the same time and in the end, kept the Musette.

By reading the above posts, one can surmise that most have not heard the Schiit Gungnir, so can’t offer an opinion to the question posed. Then there are those who are recommending DACs over the Gungnir that are in another price category(again, some without even knowing what the Gungnir sounds like), which of course does not answer the question or help the OP.

There do seem to be a lot of DAC fans out there, however. I can’t answer the question either. I bought the Schiit Bifrost Multi bit a week ago at half the price of the Gungnir Multibit, and it’s a jaw dropping value for the performance attained.

If the folks at Schiit can build such an excellent DAC at the $600 price point with the Bifrost Multibit, I’d love to hear what the Gungnir and yggdrasil can do. Schiit is a unique company. They started out building their units in the one partner’s garage, and they’ve always built them in the USA from American made parts. Really! I don’t know how they can compete price wise, but they sure do. They are both heavy hitters in the audio electronics industry and teamed up to start Schiit.

I had initially bought the Schiit Modi Uber DAC, and it easily outperformed my Audioquest Dragonfly Red though it’s almost half the price of it. I started reading up on the Bifrost Multibit and decided to purchase it. I asked to return the Modi and they agreed even though it was 7 days outside their return window. They even waived the restocking fee! The Bifrost blew away the Modi Uber. It’s amazing how good the Bifrost makes the mp3 music on my iphone sound!

Cleo,

Absolutely agree that there must be something special in Bitstream. I have a Marantz SA-1 that uses dual DAC7 (TDA1547) 1-bit Dual Bitstream. So far no digital I have owned or tried have ever touched it. And yes, I have had a loads of different digital from the latest and greatest to some very expensive players and combos.
Discrete R2R is another hidden miracle. I ordered Denafrips Ares for my TV and it`s absolute joy. It belongs to many, many times higher echelon considering it`s price. It`s the smallest brother so their higher dac`s like Venus or Terminator may be a serious contenders for my reference digital.

I purchased a HOLO Spring DAC Lv 3 Kitsune, I’ll compare with my other DACs in the coming weeks and post it here and also over at HF where I’m known as Audio-68.

@pmboyd if you are interested. Someone is selling an upgraded Bidat. http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649348362-museatex-meitner-bidat-for-sale/

The Museatex Bitstream is a very musical DAC.  The older original upgrade was an overall improvement in clarity, details, and better defined bass.  That being said, if you can find the BiDAT, it was a much better unit than the Bistream.  Just better in every area and retains the musical sound.  There are differences between newer DACs and the older Museatex DACs but not game changers in my opinion.  Museatex was designed by Ed Meitner (EMM Labs) who I think helped Sony/Phillips get the digital sound working.  He knows his digital stuff.

R2R again in my opinion sounds better but it also comes down to implementation in the design.  Not all R2R DACs are better.  There are plenty of cheaper priced DACs today that sound reasonable for the price.  I have yet to hear one that really does what some of the higher priced DACs do but it all comes down to ones ears.  For example, recently at my friends home he as a lower priced DAC (he is not an audiophile by any means).  In comparing two DACs at the different price levels, he thought that the lower priced DAC was clearer sounding, with more details.  My opinion was completely different.  The higher priced DAC was much easier to listen to, had more dimension, instruments had better space and tonality, and more 3D sounding, less HiFi sounding.  We did not really go into comparing them it was just his first impression.  To him, he could live with the lower priced DAC because he really could not understand the differences.  To me the cheaper DAC was hard to listen to because it was so flat sounding in comparison and not musical in comparison.  Tone was an issue for me, piano and the sax just did not do it for me.

Happy Listening. 

4hannons,

What are your two favorite dacs? What music do you listen to?

@4hannons:
I actually wrote my last comment at the same with you. If the messages had also the seconds shown, probably we had 5 secs difference:)
English is my second language. Sometimes I write things that can’t express what I actually mean. I totally agree with you. Price doesn’t matter. My Bitstream is around $400 and if it was new today, it would have cost around $1400 (1992 price was $800 I think). So, it was never a crazy expensive DAC back then. However, I like it better than more expensive DACs even today.

When I listen to new gear, I usually want to be wowed. Like you say, dramatic difference. That’s what I was trying to say. Little differences do not affect my purchase decision. I had to get the Bitstream without listening and I took the risk because it was not too expensive and I could always sell it at the price I bought at.

This was a dramatic difference for me vs. other DACs. I may be writing fancy words to explain how it sounds but what matters for me the most, this DAC just makes me enjoy music only.

My wife who also has golden ears :), thinks the same.

Although my two last comments about the DACs being similar/different seem like they don't make sense. I meant DACs that are in similar price range. Obviously, SB Touch and Bitstream comparison is not fair.

I've heard tremendous differences between DAC's. I've awoke to the fact that we live in a new era where price doesn't necessarily dictate performance, especially with DACs that utilize multi-bit R2R technology.

Also, for whatever it is worth; I can almost instantly compare Bitstream vs. the Logitech SB Touch's DAC which is not a bad DAC and liked very much by some people. I will tell you this; the Bitstream is better by a MILE!

I only stream Tidal HIFI via Logitech SB Touch. The only one I tried with the exact system is the Bifrost and Chord Mojo. Others I have mentioned above were in similar or different systems. I honestly think most DACs sound pretty good/similar I mean it is really hard to tell unless you do side by side, even then it is still hard. However, with the Bitstream the music is more engaging. Close to real. The separation of the instruments, everything about it is really good.

You use the Bitstream exclusively for redbook? Have you compared it with other dacs in your own system with the same music?

No, stock. I don't blame you. I just wanted to get a DAC that sounds like LP and after so many readings/asking, I bought the Bitstream. It sounds so good, I am also suprised by it. 

Celo,

Hard to imagine that a 20 yr old dac could extract the detail and realistic soundstaging that modern chips and design can accomplish! Is your Bitstream modded?

Although I did not compare to Gungir, I have compared to other Schiit DACs such as Bifrost. I also heard DCS DACs and recently heard Gustard X20 Pro and owned various DACs including Chord Mojo. 

Bitstream is the only DAC that gives me the analog LP like sound. It is detailed but not bright. The instruments sound real. I am more into music with this DAC other than trying to criticize my system while listening. To me that is a good indication.

"I opened a thread about Museatex Bitstream being the best DAC I have heard. So, although most of you will find it odd that I am recommending a 25-year old DAC, I can say that you have to try it before you say anything. I can’t believe how musical and organic this DAC is. Hard to find it though. About $400." 

So, Have you compared to any of the dacs mentioned in this thread? If so, how do they compare?

I opened a thread about Museatex Bitstream being the best DAC I have heard. So, although most of you will find it odd that I am recommending a 25-year old DAC, I can say that you have to try it before you say anything. I can't believe how musical and organic this DAC is. Hard to find it though. About $400.

limniscate,

Maybe they are the same :))     ......... probably no?

The Yggy and the Codex sounded the same on my system.

"I'm currently comparing the Audio GD to Ares, both have approx. 150 hours so far, I'm leaning toward the Ares right now."

Have you directly compared the Ares to the well-regarded dacs from Metrum and Schiit?  

I'm currently comparing the Audio GD to Ares, both have approx. 150 hours so far, I'm leaning toward the Ares right now.

The Ares gets some very good user reviews. But as noted at Head-Fi, the Ares uses many small capacitors in its design...

Yes it was discussed in HF forum. Small caps were chosen by designer for some reasons. One is that they react faster than big caps.

Audio GD is supposed to be very good also but if we check spec the R2R ladder resistors in audio GD are 0,1% precision (DA M1 modules) but Ares has 0.01% resistors and the top Denafrips models even use 0,005% resistor ladders.

The Ares gets some very good user reviews. But as noted at Head-Fi, the Ares uses many small capacitors in its design...
http://www.head-fi.org/t/833690/denafrips-ares-r2r-discrete-ladder-dac-close-up-view

I owned the Chord Qute EX and found it's performance to be excellent. The Chord 2Qute is the upgraded model.
The reproduction of music was so realistic and open and did very well in revealing micro-dynamics. The only flaw was the lack of low-end extension (Chord Qute EX), but this was due to the use of a SMPS wall-wart. The 2Qute also uses this power supply, so I would imagine that it has the same problem.
The Chord gains the bass extension and more weight to the music with the addition of a linear power supply.

The Gumby has a wider soundstage and may have better extension at both ends, but to me, does not sound as organic as the Chord.

What about Chord 2Qute vs Gumby?

Someone in HF promised to compare The Audio GD DAC 19 to Ares so chances are that there will be some info soon. Audio GD is supposed to be very good also but if we check spec the R2R ladder resistors in audio GD are 0,1% precision (DA M1 modules) but Ares has 0.01% resistors and the top Denafrips models even use 0,005% resistor ladders.

http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/diy/DA01/DA01EN.htm

I don't have a wide variety of DAC experience, esp. on the upper end. I use an Emotiva Sealth on the main system (as it has balanced outs plus a remote) and a Schiit Bifrost in the den. I recently upgraded the Schiit to the 4490 board - an easy install - and was hugely impressed by the physical quality of the boards, case, etc. It is built like a ruddy tank! Can't equate that to actual performance but if they put half the care into their designs as they do into construction, count me a customer.

Full disclosure: for the last 10 yrs, all of my listening has happened on my desktop audio system, which I 've consistently upgraded. The powered speakers are next to be upgraded (Swan M200 MKIIs). They're quite pleasant, but not a top-level, audiophile design.

Regarding DACs: my 2nd DAC was the very good, inexpensive Peachtree Audio DAC iTx (I'm in agreement w/Vdotman about this unit). Still, I was restless w/"digital" aspects of sound on my system even w/this DAC. I got interested in R2R DACs. That led me to non-oversampling (NOS) DACs.

A Chinese company named Audio GD offers very well regarded R2R DACs (ie, DAC 19) and an NOS DAC, the NOS 19. Last summer I purchased the NOS 19. It proved to be a major detour in--and a major refinement of--my entire relationship w/digital audio.

What does it sound like? Well, digital "glare" is utterly gone. Transients aren't highlighted in the least. All the detail is there, but it sounds natural/organic. All the frequencies are there. I don't find the treble rolled off, for example...it scales up suitably w/a recording known to be bright). The midrange is just about perfect. And the bass has a very pleasing, rounded quality. I have a good sub and hear all the bass: it sounds very good.

I've gotten several high-quality headphone amp/preamps (Audio GD SA-31SE; Violectric V281). On headphones (multiple types), each sounds extremely good, albeit in very different ways. When I listen via speakers + sub, I hear all those differences, just larger. So I think the DAC is "telling the truth" in my system.

The NOS 19 is so good that I stopped thinking about DACs--no  upgrade fever. I don't even think of the DAC day-to-day. It just does what it does, and music sounds better for it.

@pmboyd, I haven't tried the Schitt, but have recently auditioned a number of DACs including Meridian Director, Cambridge Audio, Resonessence Concero HP, TEAC.  Of the lot, the Concero was a step above the others. 

During our auditions in two different systems, it tended to have a more open, wider soundstage than most others. It has a very realistic tonal balance and timbre.  Very tight, but deep bass, making it the most musical of the bunch. 

Very impressive at the price point US $850.  My guess is that it will compete very well against similar or somewhat higher priced DACs.  

I suggest an audition, which might save you a few dollars. 

If you are interested in a R2R ladder DAC, there was a lot of buzz on the forum about the HOLO Audio – Spring DAC. Some say it beats both the Schiit Gumby and Yggy.
The Level 2 version is modded and priced at $1899, the Level 3 is $2499.
(I have no first hand knowledge).
https://kitsunehifi.com/product/springdacred/

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/holo-audio-spring-dac-affordable-discrete-r2r-multibit-dac-co... 

timlub,

I have no personal experience with Gustard but I feel that it`s a bit over-hyped on some forums. You can check Head-Fi forums for Denafrips Ares R2R ladder dac. Here are some words from the HF member with very revealing top high-end system:

During the plays I also made a comparison with another my dac, Gustard X20U and with a dac of a friend of mine, Holo Spring level one, very similar technology as well since it is a R2R ladder dac. Well, the Gustard, unfortunately for me, is less on each parameter to Ares, impractical comparison.
Holo instead plays very well, especially in nos mode, but Ares is better, slightly, but better in the acoustic scene, it is more refined and even more detailed. The high frequencies are more airy with Ares while Holo they are a little more sparkling, bass frequency with both are very deep and controlled, on voices Ares win again on points, with Holo you hear a hint of sibilance that instead there aren't with Ares.

I find the Peachtree DACITx to be a superb sounding inexpensive DAC. No DSD but that's not a deal  breaker for me.

Thanks for the info.

I've done a lot of reading about a lot of DAC's.... I have read on 3 different forums now that the Gustard X20 is beating several $3000 DAC's.... I had no plans on buying a DAC soon,  but I may fold.

@mechans
A used Gungnir non multibit is about $600, add another $500 to upgrade to multibit.
New, they are $1300 or so.(multibit)
B