2. digital
  3. 192072-117410

DAC shopping - Trying to sift through the Hype. Can I trust the reviews these days ??

Hi All,

Well I've been reading a ton of threads about DACs. This is a very complicated endeavor, trying to find a new DAC. My 1st question is: Can I trust all the Youtube reviews these days ?

Seems like everyone is promoting the same DACs. I'm looking into a R2R Dac. Tons of hype for Holo May,Cyan,Laiv Harmony,Denafrips. Are these truly great Dacs or are they just the flavour of the month ?. There is almost zero negativity towards these Dacs. It's kind of like when the Eversolo streamers came out. Seemed like every reviewer was pushing the Eversolo. So searching for a new DAC online almost seems like sponsored ADs everywhere, am I wrong in feeling this way ?

That all being said here is my criteria for a new DAC (Probably searching the used market to get best value)

I believe I want to go with a R2R Dac, but it's not a dealbreaker.

My budget: $1000-$3000

My system: Bryston 3B Cubed, VTL(tube pre),Bel Canto 3.7 Dac(with upgrades), Antipodes Ds-3(player/server).

I really enjoy my Bel Canto 3.7, but it doesn't have USB input and I'm curious how much better a DAC sounds in 2024, compared to an older Bel Canto,. My BC has an upgraded linear supply. Once again this DAC sounds beautiful, but when its not compared to anything......Maybe I'm depriving myself of a better DAC. This is the only DAC I've had with existing equipment.

I know plenty of you will say go audition as many DACs as you can, but that is difficult unless it's hooked up to my gear. Won't help going to a store with a DAC being hooked up to different gear.Plus I want to buy used. I can buy higher end with a bit of a discount.

 

From my research these are the DACs I'm thinking of pursuing:

Laiv Harmony

Denafrips Pontas ii

Holo Cyan

 

You can tell from my choices that I've been buying into the hype.

Please add to my list of DACs and please dispel any extra hype over the most talked about models.

Cheers.

bunkertoy

Showing 1 response by mofojo

mofojo
2,312 posts
 

I was reminded tonight how much a dac makes a difference! I’m using a Naim Nac 272 as preamp streamer. I moved my system upstairs and was using the Naim as a Dac. It sounded fine for the last few weeks but wasn’t really moving me and I wasn’t listening much. I moved my Musician Pegasus 2 upstairs and it’s just so much better. So much more meat in the bones and detailed. 
 

I have become a big R2R fan and I will say a lot of times the most expensive one may have better specs and does indeed sound slightly more refined but the cheaper model will often be punchier and more “fun” while still being plenty refined for my old rock lovin ass. As was the case with the Musician Aquarius which was a fabulous sounding dac but the Pegasus 2 is close in refinement and more punchy. YMMV. I will say both these dacs have made pretty much every damn thing sound great. Something I can’t say for any chip dac I’ve owned. 

More to discover