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R2R next? Don't like ESS

Can you recommend a good 'starter' R2R dac?  I've been through a number of ESS Sabre dacs and they're not for me.  IMO, they lack a certain transparency that I'm after.  Point of reference:   The *only* dac that I've heard that is decent to my ears is a 10yr old Maverick Audio D3 w/ Sparkos OpAmp swap.  *This* was great.  Alas, I sold it because I thought I could do better with something newer.  

Geshelli's offerings have piqued my interest - the J3 in particular - but it's an ESS chip.  Wondering if I should make the jump to something R2R - Denafrips, Broder Patrol..  thoughts?

128x128martinman
martinman's avatar
martinman OP
96 posts
 

Heh @iseland - yep, great comment.  That's the lesson I think.  I was spoiled with the tone board - it was my first dac for like $100 and it was surprisingly acceptable.  Moving around that same pricepoint - even doubling it - didn't seem to offer any more.

Seems Denafrips for the easy win and they're all of the place used.  Though, I must admit, I'm slightly intrigued with the tube dacs.  I will look into these more.  The Maverick audio was tube and I really enjoyed it.

zlone
771 posts
 

I have been very satisfied with my Merason DAC. It uses a chip that combines the best of delta sigma and R2R conversion that results in a very analog sound. I had a Gumby and have tried the Yggy, Merason is my preference. 

silverfoxvtx1800
207 posts
 

If you can get the cash up go for the LTA, R to R with tubes…amazing Dac..

If you want burr brown get the New Ontech Dac07 from Denmark a steal at 2500…I love mine…

raam
83 posts
 

Geshelli J2 has option of AKM 4493 or 4499, I was just on the site the other daylooking into it and again just now.

 

The J3 has the AKM 4499 listed as the DAC, looking  into that as well.

 

I currently have a Topping V70 Velvet with the 4499EX, not sure I can really warrant spending more on a Sparkos chipped J3

 

Rick

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,853 posts
 

op

your findings are bizarre Ess chips  are considered very transparent however the Ess dacs you tried wer not using their highest performing dacs which are the 9038pro  series 

 

theES9038Q2M is an older and less capable chip which doesn't represent the best Ess does the older dac is a two channel dac the 9038 pro has eight channels most companies employ all eight channels to lower distortion with the 9038 pro

 

by the way many of the worlds best dacs use the 9038pro: lumin ideon weiss all use this chip and all of these companies products are considered superb

 

one could also wonder how you are feeding your dac?

most of these dacs sound best playing high res via USB  and not through spdif the source feeding the dac is also extremely important.

if you want transparency look at chord.

Dave and Troy

audio intellect NJ

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