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.
@decooney Seems many people are saying the same about my Bel Canto 3.7. I did blow $1500 in upgrades last year. It's non-fatiguing and at times warm. You know how this stupid hobby is... It sounds great, but maybe I can change it up. What's the deal with R2R...? everyone is talking about it. :). @audiotroy The Antipodes is a great server/streamer. The reason I started this chat is because I'm using the Spdif output, not the USB. USB is what Antipodes suggest to use. |
When comparing a good delta sigma dac to an equivalent quality R2R resistor-ladder dac, some people tend to focus on these topics. Sharing a few of my own notes, and I learned not all R2R dacs are created equal. There are other members here on Agon who’ve tried far more dacs than I have, and they will likely chime in more. Sharing some of my prior Industry notes and comments collected fwiw: The preference for R2R (Resistor-to-Resistor) DACs over Delta-Sigma DACs often comes down to sound quality and personal preference. There are a few reasons why some people favor R2R DACs: Sound Signature: Many audiophiles feel that R2R DACs produce a more natural and musical sound. They often describe Delta-Sigma DACs as sounding a bit more clinical or sterile in comparison. Linearity: R2R DACs are known for their high linearity, which means they can reproduce audio signals with less distortion. Simplicity: R2R DACs have a simpler design compared to Delta-Sigma DACs, which use complex algorithms and filtering. This simplicity can translate to a more straightforward and transparent sound. Resolution: Some listeners believe that R2R DACs offer better resolution and detail, especially in the midrange frequencies.
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@freediver @tkrtrb125 You're both misunderstanding the effect of noise (EMI or RFI) on a digital component. You won't hear noise as audible static or hash. Instead, it affects how music is reproduced. Noise makes digital music sound more edgy and less smooth. Some people perceive this as not sounding as smooth as analog reproduction via a turntable or R2R tape deck. Others "hear" noise only when they listen to the same recording with noise filtered out. |
@bunkertoy The Pontus II is great at conveying timbre and sounding warm. Is it better than your Bel Canto? The only way to tell is to have it in your system and try it out. Perhaps get a used Pontus II so you can resell it if it's not an improvement. One suggestion for the Pontus II is that it sounded best to me with a Supra LoRad power cable at about US $91. I've tried 11 power cables on the Pontus ranging from $15 to $1400 and the LoRad is the one that sounded best to my ears.
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The Denafrips Pontus II DAC is not hype nor a promotion. It is most likely one of the best selling DACs for at least 3 years, with hundreds and hundreds of positive reviews. I've had mine for 3 years, and it has held it's own as I've upgraded the rest of my system a couple of times (new amps, preamps, speakers, cables, power input, CD tranpsorts, etc. The Pontus II is one of those special products that hit a grand slam upon release and remains one of the most musical, enjoyable, listenable, and fun DACs I've heard....at an amazing price of $2,000 for the 15th for the current release.....I think I paid $1,450 for mine when I bought it. It is not the most detailed, the quickest, and is of course not perfect. I will replace mine next year, and move the Pontus II to a second system.....as my system now is good enough for a better DAC. Yes I2S does make a difference, it's the best way to drive the Pontus II (and I'd suspect any DAC that supports it) |
