Six DAC Comparison

I don’t totally let measurements dictate results for many are way out of the Sonic capability  of humans , that is what audio science review does saying a $800 Topping i dac with a delta sigma Sabre dac chip  iis better because it has bettered 

measurements then several R2R ladder dacs totally untrue these  R2R dacs sound more natural look at the classic 1704K  Multibit dac chip that was a Bur Brown standard for years until they stopped making it..

iits like a good solid state amp is going to measure better then a good vacuum tube amp 

but many people prefer the tube amps .I have decades in Audio ,have owned a Audio store and now semi retired and go out of state to many audio get togethers and shoot outs , it’s all in the design implementation ,Listen first, lots of good designs out there for every budget.

Each dac will have something different to offer ,many times measured performance 

doesnot guarantee better sound  like other forums like ASR 

totally off eye a $700 topping dac measures better then many but doesnot have much life more neutral  and on not-so good recordings far worse.

As with all  dacs your perception may be a bit different then mine .

Personally I feel the T+A200 dac at $7400:the best value in a high end dac  I Sell the Very good.  Denafrips New Generation -15 dacs ,not just  an upgrade line of Dacs, these will meet and or exceed anything in their price class ,.Holo springs  makes a good product , for Tube dacs Lampizators upper end is very good which I have owned , Aqua also make a solid product ,.

It’s all about taste , some like a rich tubyness ,

some like every razer sharp detail., a lot has to do with your other equipment  also.

Why don’t many  these dacs put in inputs like I2S which are the current best when implemented correctly , even 75ohm inputs MIA , for many of us use DDC-Reclockers to further clean the incoming signal  far better then what comes out of a computer or streamer, using Oven clocks and massive filtering with  galvanic isolation which I2S is their favorite medium ,even Good Transports are now using I2S Aqua mojo, LSA Lampi. They leave it out which puts off lots of potential buyers.

Depending on your budget 

I sell my self Denafrips products ,I hear a lot of equipment to the many audio get togethers I have gone to over the past 2 years , in the $3k range the Pontus Gen 15 is not a  bias it is far better built then anything in the $3k price class but $1k less 

it’s the Ex Venus 12  ,   The T+Aw200 dac is very good with a lot of tuning possibilities , as good or better then the New Denafrips Terminator 15,

or Holo May KTE dac  the Mojo. Sounds good $7k on up has at least some inputs , I2S inputs should be standard ,many people have nice digital transports like Esoteric, Jays Audio which allows you to play SACDs k and many people use a DDC I2S is the best soundin digital input currently, even the LTA aero which I think sounds nice with the 2 tubes missed the mark , even they agree ,the next modification will have I2S .  DDC to clean the incoming signal from their computer or streamer  with absolutely make a improvement , look at the Chord Dave pretty $$ expensive to most then has a ad on reclocker  that is what makes it special combined together. That’s my opinion and many others , PS audio set the standard on the pin out that most cable makers are now using for I2S .

Hey soux you could not be more wrong ,I help people with msay things with products I don’t own or sell ,your ignorance is apparent , if you read. The 1000s of input regarding audio, I get emails and phone calls weekly .Having owned a Audio

store for over a decade and know modding well ,in 40 years in Audio

systems synergy is more important then monies. I not once ever stated Denafrips

was the best ,I it is a excellent product and great value ,is this wrong ?

I have told many on which products maybe a good fit for their Audio system 

even if they don’t spent a $ Dime , just loook at my feedbacks from buyers ,

have a good day !!

I2S or 110 ohm  they both are top for connection.

they are not a myth, if that were true then why do Top companies use them ?

it comes down to how comprehensive they are implementing the connection

plain and simple . For example if you use a xlr  that does not mean the circuit is true balanced input to output . That’s my only point , Esoteric for just 1 example makes very $$ expensive and comprehensive dacs ,transports with I2S as their top sounding input , 110 ohm xlr can be excellent also .for a truly Great I2S cable you don’t want a generic cable with video more issues.  Tubulus Dedicated just for Audio IMO makes the best per $$ in quality ,value cables .this I2S cable will compete with cables 3-4xthe cost ,this too applies to their USB which I have and next year a statement usb cable too will be coming out. read their formula, they give you the basics about their design ,very sound and make a lot of common sense but very labor intensive.,their  top Ximius -I2S  is Great I  just ordered one as well as their top Ethernet cables ,,they will totally change your opinion of what digital can sound like I highly recommend their top 2 cables ,which have much more in depth shielding and other methods. Unless you own them you  have no valid opinion.!!