If you want a DAC that provides the same level of signal conversion accuracy that is enjoyed by many studios, the RME ADI-2 DAC fs is your best bet. German precision at an affordable price, with plenty of onboard features to boot. Learning to navigate the extensive menu options can initially be a little intimidating, but becomes second nature after some use.
I believe the current iteration of this DAC, the V2, uses the AKM 4493 chip. From the website:
"The updated ADI-2 DAC uses AKM’s AK4493 in a special circuit variant developed by RME engineers that allows the chip to perform at its best. With noise levels of 123 dBA, distortion less than -120 dB, or THD+N of -116 dB, the device delivers outstanding measured values. Even the IEM output, with -118 dBu already the world’s lowest noise headphone output, improves to a sensational -121 dBu. In addition, there is 4 dB of digital headroom, so that even high intersample peaks do not produce any audible distortion. Finally, the device now also offers a clear reserve in volume setting. +2.5 dB result in a still undistorted analog output signal."
op - you are now getting a list of a few dozen dacs to choose from, does that help? 😂
@soix's reply to you early on is the most important one...
if you need help narrowing down the field, i suggest you invest some time writing here about the rest of your system, the music you like, your room setup, type of sound you value (powerful bass, specific, big imaging, etc etc etc)
then knowledgeable folks here can try to steer you in the right direction
Well, the replacement of the Qutest with the Pontus might prove an upgrade if the Pontus provides a sonic signature that better suits your friends sonic tastes as presented within your friends system.
The presentation may (likely will) prove different to many, however which is better is subjective.
as @mesch said, the naive come here and seek recommendations for what’s ’better’, without articulating what that means in their application
the pontus is the warmest toned of all the dena dacs, lots of mid and midbass ’bloom’, somewhat laid back treble, so if you have a lean system, for instance, solid state amps driving b&w’s or monitor audio’s then it could well bring you modicum of body and full tone to the music
otoh, if you have a warmer system lacking impact and speed, say, a typical tube amp driving harbeths or vandy's -- then a chord unit will bring a greater sense of ’life’, rhythm and speed to go along with the lovely midrange tonality
’better’ in high end hifi is meaningful in an ’applied’ sense, more than ’intrinsically’, when you are dealing with quality items
I recommend Ares II. Today I put back in Qutest and I was not too happy. Chord was resolving but sound was thin. Ares II warmer and fuller but wee bit less resolving like in layering of stage and top end air but Ares more enjoyable to listen to. With Qutest I wanted to turn my system off and call it a day!
There is a review by Amir that he reviewed the schiit DAC and found some flaws.
He worked with the company and they made changes to improve their product.
Facts are facts.
Measurements are Measurements
Enough said
blah blah blah
it’s about the music, the magic of the performance, the emotional connection ... measurements may instruct at some rudimentary level but do not even capture a half of it
I have the Topping D90se DAC (the latest) and it is rather good. It is in the neutral camp so I think it would pair well with some warm electronics or speakers. I actually use them with Benchmark AHB2 (which are not warm) but this combo is in the camp of adding nothing to the sound. It is the opposite of my other system so it is a nice change of pace for me.
The D90Se is $899 (or 599, I forgot). Another DAC that is also a great buy at $1350 (on sale now) is the Gustard X26 Pro. This is a warmer DAC and a DAC people should try on home trial before they spend more money. There are 4 filters and NOS/OS mode to tailor the sound.
TheGustard 'X-22' is a brilliant DAC ! ($1099. USD). It is a much better DAC than the Chord 'Qutest' -and by a wide margin.
Similarly, the 9038PRO/ESS chip-set is head/shoulders above Gustard's older 9028-PRO chip set (i.e. 'X-20PRO'). The resolution/layering, fluidity of playback is immediately and obviously improved in the 9038/Gustard implementation.
"The Gustard X26 Pro is compared to the new Topping D90SE in the Topping review linked below. The Gustard was favored. Try out the Gustard on the 30 day home trial., I sold an almost $3K tube DAC that people here love after I compared it with the Gustard X26 Pro."
yyz, good call (favoring X-26PRO): And yet, I'd bet the Gustard 'X-22' would trounce the Topping 90SE. In fact, the 'X-22' handily out-classes the Chord 'Qutest'; the brand/model often referred to as the "one-to-beat"?
Anyway you wish to look at it (design, build/parts quality, output stage type & sophistication, Digital I/O's: Wrd. Clk, i2S) the 'X-26PRO' Gustard represents an excellent well respected/reviewed DAC that has earned its reputation since the original 'X-20/PRO' that debuted many years ago.
I have two Gustard DACs, A22/A20H, both are well designed / built, class A balanced - unbalanced (RCA) output stages suitable for 5k+ price class, very low noise power supply block' based on two toroidal-low EM leak transformers, with separated digital and analog paths etc.
Update, i now have an Audio GD r7he mkii dac and it is fantastic. RME still sounds great but the AGD is much more relaxed and musical. Going to have my Cambridge Audio Cxn v2 upgraded with a Modwright tube stage and linear power supply.
Also highly recommend the Gustard X26 Pro. Only had it a few days and so much detail revealed that I wasn't hearing before. Have a Cambridge 200m in my outside system that I will ride for a bit longer, but will eventually replace with another one. The details I'm now getting from my regular ripped 16/44 Cds is amazing, let alone SACDs or Bluray Audio discs. Was using Krell's DAC previously.
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