Weiss not bright. I have it paired w/ a Grimm MU1. Weiss has gobs of adjustments too. I tried many but don’t use.
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.
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Try this one on a home demo. It does need a lot of break-in so play it 24 x7 before rendering judgement. It also has a terrific USB input which I stream into using a Sonore OpticalRendu. That is fibre optic converted to USB. Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA The LIM is the one you want for the warmth. It is an excellent DAC for that type of sound. I am going to convert my LIM to the MIB also on that link. I now want a more neutral DAC. BTW - if you want to move up to a better DAC at a lower price check out the Yggi+. My $2.8k Yggii+ OG (no longer available) replaced a $15k DAC and the Yggi+ is so much better than it. Do not assume more money makes for better gear. |
At the end of the day, in answering your original query... No. Different rooms, with equipment different than yours....and the wrong pair of ears on the sides of a different skull..... Best guess at best; yours is the final arbiter... *L* You're poisoned, go find your remedy..... ;) Good luck and listening, J |
- 35 posts total