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.
From my experience the biggest difference that separates less expensive dacs and oreamps (<$2k) from more expensive dacs is the quality of the power supplies. A inexpensive way to hear that is to buy a VeraFi Audio Snubway and perhaps a Mainstream, and if you don’t have a quality power conditioner then get the Ace Power Package before agonizing over other dacs HTH |
@sqitis Thanks for extensive description. I still think a separate streamer/Server is best for noise. I'm hoping to go up the food chain with Antipodes. Once again I really enjoy the Squeezelite eco-system. I'm currently searching out a Antipodes CX to be my server. @rikkipuu On USB being noisey... I wonder then why all the high-end Streamers/Servers have only USB outputs. I've spoken to Antipodes and they indicate I will get better sound using the USB output or the Spdif output. I purchased a Bel Canto Ref Link to take the USB signal and convert it to Spdif. I like that it matches my current Bel Canto 3.7. @tweak1 I agree about separate power supplies. my upgrade on my Bel Canto was a l linear Power supply. Picking a new DAC will not be a spur of the moment decision. So many opinions & choices. The more money I save, the better results I'll get from my DAC. DACs seem to take a jump moving into the strong brands, such as: T+A, Weiss, DCS, Lampizator etc... |
