Laid back DAC under $800?

@djones51I've been messing with it and don't know what the heck I'm doing. :-)

FLAC > Roon> Raspberry Pi> DAC> Jolida 1501 hybrid amp>Onix RS750 speakers (soon to be updated).

Thanks. I also use Foobar and Audirvana. 

@jtcf you mentioned wire. Do you notice much difference? What do you use? 

Good idea. 

I see Black Ice (Jolida) has a DAC right at $800.......

@andr3wd -

Thanks for that! Unfortunately, I can't find any place to buy it that will allow a return if I don't like it.  Ugh! Have you compared it to anything else? 

A lot of excellent advice here.  I'll check out multibit ladder from Schit. Good point about changing out the tubes in the Black Ice.  Not a lot of reviews about it though.  Wonder how it is with features and ease of use.  The D70 is really nice in that department.

Bifrost vs. Black Ice?  

Haven't seen a Metrum or Bel Canto. 

There's an equalizer in Roon but not Audirvana. I think Foobar might have one.  I'll check.  Still will likely upgrade because.......that's what happens. Lol. 

@djones51 - 
Thanks for the tip on 4.5khz.  I lowered it and it's a little better.  I think part (or most) of the problem is Roon.  When I play through Audirvana or HQplayer it doesn't bother me as much, if at all.  Roon has a great interface but you have to jump through a lot of hoops to make it sound decent.  

Thanks @andr3wd.


Ayre Codex on ebay for under $1k....

As far as Schiit goes, Bifrost or Gungnir for more laid back?

Right now I'm down to the Schiit Gungnir ($1,200) or the Jolida Black Ice ($695). 

I found a place that will take the Jolida back if I don't like it (10% restock).  

Maybe buy both and A/B? 

That NuPrime looks interesting.  How does it compare to the Gungnir @misterd2? 

frequency sweeps.

What is this?

I found a used Ayre Codex for $900.  What do you think?

Well, I ended up getting the Codex for $800.  Hopefully, it was a good choice for me. 

Just got the Codex set up.  So far, pretty happy.  Still detailed but not quite as bright and clinical (...to me).  There's also definitely more low end.  Very bassy.  The D70 didn't have this low end.