I had the opportunity to compare the following I2S combinations, both using same amplification, speakers, room, etc:
- Rockna Wavedream Signature Balanced + Wavedream Net
- PSAudio DSD Dac + Sonore Signature Rendu + Sonic Transporter I9 + Sonore Ultra Digital, running HQP and converting everything to DSD 256
While they are not similar in sound and, as such, fit different tastes and types of music, with Rockna being an R2R DAC and PSA being a 1 bit DAC, the Sonore system gives little to the Rockna combination. Rockna is overall more musical and rich sounding, perhaps somewhat soft at times, with thunderous bass, never tiring. Sonore combination may be better suited for acoustic music, or anytime detail is desired, perhaps somewhat dry, more analytical. Again, different voices for different tastes and different kinds of music.
For the money, the Sonore combination is hard to beat.
For the technically savvy user, the Sonore combination works, for the user desiring a plug an play solution, Rockna is rock solid - pun intended - and a first choice.
I ended up using both combinations, in two different systems, Rockna for the "big sound" system and Sonore for the near field listening on a smaller, more intimate system, accepting having to put up with the quirks of the sonicorbiter OS and HQP.