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Too many choices for R2R DACS--opinions appreciated

So I've decided to treat myself to a new DAC to celebrate a rather significant birthday coming up, and I'm very intrigued by the new generation of DACs employing R2R technology. Reviews have been unrelentingly positive, but I have way too many choices now, so I'd appreciate some opinions from any of you who may have had a chance to compare some of them. Price range: about $3K (with some slight headroom if the right DAC warrants it). I've looked at reviews for Audio-GD, Denafrips, Sonnet, and the new one from Jay's Audio (which doesn't yet seem to have any reviews that I can find). 

I'll be replacing a DAC that I actually really like, an Abbingdon Music Research DP-777 (not SE) which I've had for a few years now, but from what I read about the R2Rs, they appear to produce a sound I might like even better. 

Listening preferences: mostly classical, some folk, some Broadway, and I never  totally outgrew my taste for the good ol' rock music I grew up with. 

Rest of the system: Modwright KWI-200 integrated, Cambridge Audio CXU disc spinner, Ryan R610 speakers, Rel S2 sub. Cables: Audience & Cardas. (This all might be a bit TMI, but let's cover all the bases).

Your opinions gratefully received. Thanks!

 

cooper52

Showing 2 responses by mrotino

mrotino
66 posts
 

I have the metrum acoustics onyx which I had upgraded with the DAC 3 chips.  Cees who is the designer of both the Onyx and Morpheus mentioned that with the DAC 3 chips the Onyx is essentially equivalent to the Morpheus as they both now have 16 DAC chips and their design is very similar.

I also have the Metrum acoustics ambre streamer which I highly recommend as it is very well built with upgraded clocks, linear power supply, etc. and has all the digital outputs.  In my system USB was the worst sounding and the images and vocals were thinned out.  I2S was the best connection between the two and images and vocals definitely became fuller and the sound more transparent and dynamic.  It's possible the Morpheus has a better USB input than the Onyx but I would think the other digital inputs on the Morpheus, especially I2S will be better.

mrotino
66 posts
 

I would probably go with the Sonnet Hermes as I'm sure the pricing is very similar between the Hermes and Ambre.  Cees mentioned they both basically sound the same however the Hermes has a slightly larger power supply and uses the Pi4 chip instead of the Pi 3 chip used in the Ambre.  

If you want to use I2s you need to purchase the I2s module which replaces your already installed USB module.  It's very easy to do.  You can't have both I2s and USB connectivity at the same time.

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