2. digital
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dacs that I have had in my system - a listing

i comment quite a bit on threads about digital/analog converters, as i have tried many since the covid period in early 2020, when i recommitted to my hifi and getting streaming and a truly modern digital front end implemented in my main home system

i have had questions on what dacs i have actually tried -- so last week when i was sleepless on a long transcontinental flight home from a holiday, i made a listing, which i post below

almost all dacs below have been owned, and spent extensive time (at least 2-3 months) in my system, obviously there have been changes in my system over this time, and not all dacs were owned at the same time

i post this here so others can refer to this here - i looked, but i could not find a way to post this on my 'system' page

the asterisk-ed entries are still in hand, currently:

 

2020

topping d90 mqa

ayre codex

mhdt stockholm 

mhdt orchid

mhdt istanbul

denafrips pontus original

musical paradise mpd1

ps audio d link iii modded cullen

bs node 2i

 

2021

denafrips ares 2 

denafrips pontus 2

denafrips terminator 

auris d1d vu

audio mirror tubador 3 se

van alstine fet topp*

van alstine fet hybrid

rme adi 2 (akm)

schiit modius 

schiit gumby

schiit yggy*

sonnet morpheus

border patrol se i

metrum jade

metrum octave

metrum hex

metrum adagio

musical fidelity trivista 21 (modded)*

weiss 501* (now 4ch)

 

2022

chord 2qute 

chord qutest

chord m scaler* hugo tt2*

mhdt orchid modded*

audio note kits dac4 pro

msb analog w powerbase*

denafrips venus 2*

denafrips pontus 12

audio gd master 7

musetec 005

bs node n130

bricasti m1se mdx

doge 7

hegel h90 190 390 590* (internal)

 

2023

gustard r26*

eversolo dmp a6 master*

mhdt toucan

orchard pecan pi*

cambridge audio cxn2 modwright modded tubed*

jjss49

Showing 3 responses by yyzsantabarbara

yyzsantabarbara
5,022 posts
 

In the past 3 years I also did a mini-me version of @jjss49 DAC testing (at home for long period) with the following DACs:

  • Benchmark DAC3B
  • Musetec 005
  • Gustard X26 Pro
  • Audio Mirror Tubador 3 SE
  • Lumin X1
  • Schitt Yggi+ Less is More
  • Matrix Audio Mini i-3 Pro
  • Krell K-300i integrated with internal DAC
  • "DAC" in modded Peachtree GAN1
  • Topping D90LE (and D90SE)

I also used a Sonore OpticalRendu for streaming to USB via fibre.

The only DACs I have left are the Yggi+, modded Peachtree GAN1, and the Benchmark DAC3B. I plan on ’upgrading’ the DAC3B with a PlayBack Designs Dream DAC relatively soon.

The 2 best DACs I have had are the Yggi+ Less is More and the modded GAN1. The Lumin X1 is also up there but I liked the Yggi+ better and it cost a ton less. The GAN1 is not really a DAC but the end result is pretty amazing, The stock version is not comparable to the modded one I have.

 

 

yyzsantabarbara
5,022 posts
 

@toro3 I took a flyer on it based on this review. Schitt is also very close to my home so I could easily return it.

https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/audio-shows/schiit-texas-audio-roundup-writeup-r1125/

Since I liked the Yggi+ so much I ordered the Aegir 20 watt ’Class A’ amp yesterday for my headphones. That cost $800 and I am going to compare that with a $7K dedicated headphone amp. It will not be better (the use of an adapter makes this impossible) however, if the Aegir gets me to 90% of the $7K (amp was sold) I will be amazed. My great CODA #16 amp gets me to 90% of the top amp.

The reason I liked the Yggi+ more than the X1 was that I felt the top end the Yggi+ was super clean and realistic. The X1 in comparison sounded a bit darker on top. This issue was rather easy to notice on the uber revealing RAAL SR1a earphones.

 

 

 

yyzsantabarbara
5,022 posts
 

I think you have me mistaken with someone who mentioned 401k. 

I built my system using compromising photos of dealers.

 

 

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