Different R2R DACs


Several months ago, I bought a used Hono Spring Level 2 DAC to see how R2R would compare against my Mytek Brooklyn DAC+. I like the Brooklyn+ a lot, but, given the other components in my system, I'm thinking about building in a bit more warmth (without losing significant detail). I'm not looking for sweetness or holography. Unfortunately, I was thoroughly unimpressed by the way the Holo Spring Level 2 smeared the music. I returned it within two weeks. Perhaps the unit I bought was defective (though I bought it from a highly reputable seller of used equipment), but it started me wondering how much of the hype surrounding the newer generation of R2R DACs was just that, hype. However, I keep seeing so many glowing reviews of reasonably priced R2R DACS from Denafrips, Aqua, Lampizator and others. So I'm wondering whether I should give them another try. Unfortunately, where I live the only real (suboptimal) option is to audition by purchasing one DAC at a time. Before I start down that road again, I thought I would ask the collective brain of Audiogon about how much of a difference I might expect, as against the Holo Spring level 2, from a new Denafrips Pontus II or used Terminator II, a used Aqua La Voce or Lampizator, or some other R2R DAC under $5K. I don't require require resolutions greater than 24/192 (beyond which I discern no difference). I do like the option of MQA decoding, but it's not a deal breaker. 

The rest of my system (source components aside), at present, include a Parasound JC2 BP preamp, a pair of VTV Purifi mono amps, and Harbeth C7ES-3 speakers.

audio-satisficer

Showing 1 response by big_greg

Every DAC I've owned has had a unique sonic signature, just like every analog source has sounded different. 

In the R2R realm, I have a MHDT Labs Orchid and an Aqua La Voce S3. I had a Schiit multibit Bifrost for a while. 

The Orchid is warm and "analog" sounding, but not the most detailed. The Aqua is very neutral sounding and more detailed. The Bifrost is great for its price, but had a bit of an "edge" to it I couldn't live with. I had a Mytek Liberty DAC and would choose any of the three I mentioned over it. It was very "digital" sounding and a bit bright to my ears. 

My Teac NT-505 is not R2R, but strikes a nice balance between a bit of warmth, detail, and easy to listen to "analog" like sound. 

I agree that it's more about the implementation than the technology and more about what sonic characteristics you desire. 

If your ears and / or system aren't good enough to detect differences, then it doesn't really matter what you use.