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Streamer with R2R DAC

I am engaged in a serious downsizing effort. I have begun to enjoy streaming (Qobuz, Idagio, etc) with a NAD M10.  Very nice (all in one), but I really prefer R2R ladder dacs.

So, are there any streamers with a R2R dac?  This would not be an all in one unit, I would add an amp or active speakers.  I have recently heard about the new Cary unit but too expensive.  Under $5K, new or used please.

Larry

clio

Showing 2 responses by big_greg

big_greg
6,708 posts
 
I'm not George, but I recently acquired an Aqua La Voce S3 and it's fantastic.  Very natural sounding and musical.  Some of the other DACs I've had to compare to it are MHDT Labs Orchid (still one of my favorites), Auralic Vega, Mytek Liberty, Schiit Bifrost 2, W4S Dac 2 (my least favorite), and a few others.

For an all-in-one streamer/DAC, the TEAC NT-505 is a great unit.  Not R2R, but I much prefer the sound of the VERITA AK4497 over any Sabre based DAC that I've heard.
big_greg
6,708 posts
 
@georgehifi The La Voce does not have a volume control.  I'm running it through a Simaudio 600i.  

@kren0006 I can't say with certainty how the La Voce compares to the NT-505 as I have not had them in the same system.  I have the NT-505 in my main and bedroom systems, using their streamers.  The La Voce is in my computer system, streaming from my PC via USB.  Different connections, different amps, preamps, speakers...

Having said that, The NT-505 is still in my main system and I'm still very happy with it.  I'd say they are more alike than different, with the NT-505 being just a tiny bit more on the "warm" side, and the La Voce having a little more detail and more "natural" sounding.  I think it handles the high frequencies just a little better than the NT-505 and is also a little more "dynamic".  Again, take all that with a grain of salt as I haven't compared them directly using all the same gear.
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