Six DAC Comparison

@mitch2 Your results correlate with previous reviews I've seen for most of these dacs. Really appreciate the greater detail and comparative nature of your review vs previous I've seen. Of these dacs, the Mojo's have long been on my list of 'want to hear' dacs, your more thorough reviews of these dacs have increased my interest.

One thing I'd take issue is“Delta-Sigma DACs, which comprise over 95% of the DAC chips sold today, do not actually “decode” the bit stream but rather "interpolate" it. They take in the digital bit stream faster than the music is playing, analyze it, noise shape it, error correct it, interpolate what they think the musical signal was supposed to look like, and then output a flawless waveform. Not quite the waveform which was quantized, but a very smooth and very even waveform. That is why Delta-Sigma DACs sound so smooth and refined. This is also why Delta-Sigma DACs have an advantage when playing mediocre sources such as music streamed from the internet.”,

Don't have issue with the technical aspect of explanation, issue is with the generalization of delta sigma dacs as smooth. Based on my ownership of numerous delta sigma dacs, and extensive number of reviews of these dacs delta sigma dacs most often described as incisive, extremely detailed, the complete opposite of smooth. R2R dacs are most often described as quite the opposite of delta sigma, these described as most natural, easy going, relaxed. And this is what I hear with my Laiv Harmony vs Musetec's and previous delta sigma. And I don't mean to suggest delta sigma can't be refined, its simply the characterization of being smooth. IME delta sigma dacs get their bad reputation from masses of cheap Chinese dacs that measure well and sound cold and clinical.

Many thanks for your excellent and even-handed reviews of these DAC’s, quite an undertaking. If you ever need a side gig you could join the glamorous world of audio reviewers. 

@viber6 - The Tambaqui is a very good sounding DAC and based on my time with it, more refined sounding and enjoyable to listen to than the Benchmark, which is still a bargain at it's price.  However, just because they both measure well, doesn't mean they sound the same.  I could live with the Tambaqui in my main system but I prefer the more organic, textural, presentation of the Mojo DACs as well as the  richer, fuller, and more relaxed sounding presentation from the Merason. 

The one I would still like to hear is the HoloAudio May DAC that John Atkinson reviewed, measured, and described as follows.  "In almost every way, the HoloAudio May (Level 3) is the best-measuring D/A processor I have encountered, rivaled only by the Weiss DAC502 and MBL N31."  Regarding the sound, he said, "The HoloAudio May (Level 3) is one of the best-sounding D/A processors I have tried."  If it is really that good, it should be an absolute bargain at it $5,600 price, for the KTE version.  I simply have not heard it and therefore cannot say one way or the other.    

Thanks for your reply.  I have the original Benchmark DAC 1.  Reviews said the DAC 2 was warmer and more "musical" than the 1, and the DAC 3 was getting back to the DAC 1 tonal balance.  Actually, don't laugh, I prefer my old Sony CD player alone compared to the Sony digital out going to the Bench 1.  The latter is smoother, warmer compared to the Sony alone.  So the Sony is actually more raw and brighter than when used with the Bench.  Both the Sony and Bench 1 are old products, but the Sony is even older.  I have to admit that the raw quality of the Sony is a detriment, but the sound is tighter and leaner.  I suspect that the additional interconnect cable (the old Illuminati from Chris Sommerwerk) and added analog gain stage electronics in the Bench 1 probably is adding some veil.  Many people have claimed that the ultimate performance is from a complete CD player vs transport + DAC, although my limited experience is insufficient to evaluate this.

As a performing violinist in orchestra and chamber music, what excites me is close up detail and HF extension.  By comparison any audience seat reveals much less detail and overall clarity.  I know your preferences are far different from mine, but I have learned much from your careful comparisons.  That makes you a skillful observer and writer.  Your integration of published reviews (which are usually biased) with your honest personal observations is a model of great reporting.  Most media in audio and other matters cannot be trusted.

@mitch2 

As the owner of a recently purchased  Mojo-Audio X SE I agree with comments regarding it's sound signature.  I don't have the Z chips or the nano-crystalline (NC) chokes but even so the sound is full and engaging.  I don't agree with difference being incremental though.  My previous DAC was the PSAudio MK1 and the MHDT Orchid before that and each provided a significant upgrade to the sound from the previous.  That said I was happy with each one of them until I heard the upgraded component.  
I wish I had your talent to express what I'm hearing but I'm pretty much tied to "Mojo good, sound like". There was so much work involved in this post I just want to say Thank You