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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
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.

muvluv's avatar
muvluv
46 posts
 

S.M.S.L su-9pro or the su-s-ux are great dacs paired with the Gustard u18 usb interface using the l2S or hdmi connection 

dz13
242 posts
 

You could also get a DDC (digital to digital converter) rather than a new DAC. The DDC can take the USB input and clean it up and reclock it and send it to your DAC via the AES/EBU input. I added a fairly inexpensive Denafrips Iris and felt that it added some clarity and bass to my system that I already thought was pretty good.

Also, the Denafrips Pontus is on the 15th generation so I'm not sure why you're looking at a Pontus II. The price is low and the Pontus 15th is essentially the same as the Venus 12th which is a DAC previously costing about $4,000 that you are getting for less than $2,000. Check out USAudioMart for deals on the DDC and DACs if you are interested and also Jay's Iyagi video on the Pontus 15th he put out this week. 

Finally, the question is whether you are looking for Delta Sigma or R2R stuff. You might also include the Holo Spring or a used May if you can find it. I've also been looking in this price territory and I'm finding some interesting lesser known stuff like the Audial DAC S5b which got a rave review from Elite Audio (YouTube) on 11-29-23. I haven't heard this DAC but the review(s) sound like I would like it and it has all the inputs you want including the i2s.  

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