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.

128x128bunkertoy
stuartk
2,779 posts
 

@bunkertoy 

FYI, TMR (The Music Room) is probably your best bet for used gear that you can return. Be aware that you will have to pay a restocking fee + shipping if you do.

There are other online dealers of new gear that will charge you the shipping but not the restocking fee, including; 

UpScale Audio

Listen Up! 

Audio Advisor

Audio Connection

Audio Advice

Music Direct 

Verdant Audio 

BTW, just because something is widely acclaimed does not necessarily mean it is overrated!  For example, the Pontus has been around for quite a while in different versions and it remains very popular and very well reviewed, both by professional reviewers and users. Would you like it?  I have no idea. You say you believe you would like an R2R DAC but until you try one, you will never know.  

 

 

bunkertoy's avatar
bunkertoy OP
46 posts
 

@jimmy2615 That's good info. Fyi my Antipodes Streamer/Server is highly regarded. They make very solid units and have incredible online support.

My Streamer has both USB & Spdif. I'm using the Spdif with a Tellurium Q Waveform Cable. Because my Bel Canto doesn't have USB, I just can't tell which output of the streamer sounds best.

You are also correct about length of time spent with a DAC, .Ideally I purchase something and if I'm unhappy, sell it for another. Rinse & Repeat. That's when buying used is best instead of brand new.

@jond Lampizators don't come cheap. I am reading good things about Audio Note also.

bunkertoy's avatar
bunkertoy OP
46 posts
 

@stuartk Thanks for the list . I'm in Toronto, Canada.I feel like a DAC is such a difficult thing to fit in with the rest of your stereo chain. So many unknowns.

Post removed 
sns
3,208 posts
 

No one claiming usb noisy, just that I2S has a number of inherent advantages. I also don't doubt an optimized usb setup could  be superior to a less than optimal I2S setup.  I used usb exclusively for years without complaint, discovered I2S simply sounds better, try it you'll like it.

 

As for generic sound qualities from dacs, I've never heard two dacs that sound exactly the same in my systems. All have had varying levels of resolution, transparency and at least somewhat different presentations. It may well be tha all R2R dacs have a similar presentation and one that's different from Delta Sigma or FPGA, I wouldn't know until I'd listened to all R2R dacs.

More to discover