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Which R2R DAC UP TO 1K: ORGANIC, FULL-BODIED, DEEP SOUNDSTAGE

Hi all and hello George,

I`m new to Audiogon and as I have seen from earlier discussions some of you seem to be THE absolute R2R enthusiasts for many years. May I ask you for some help regarding this topic as I`m out for a new dac which should be R2R?

I`m coming from a Lector CDP 707, which is sold now as I got over to streaming, but I bloody regret it. The Lector had all I ever wanted, tonally he played on the warm, full-bodied side, organically with a lot of flesh to the bone and authority/slam and I loved the expansive soundstage, not overly wide but very deep. Bass was punchy enough even for EDM which I listen to mainly.

For the moment I`m using my former headamp as a DAC, the Questyle CMA 600i, with a DS chip on board, AKM 4490. I wouldn`t call it a catastrophe, but of course the signature is lightyears away from the Lector.

When looking for a new DAC I saw that Lector Strumenti offers some too, but I`m afraid my budget is too small with up to 1K, so this is not an option.

In respect of the Lector using the PCM 1704K I thought about (ab)using some vintage gear, for examle the Denon DVD 5000 with 4xPCM 1704J on board too (the Denon has a digital input and could be used as a stand alone DAC too), but I was told the analog stage is crappy and so I got away from this.

Still on my mind is the old Naim DAC and the Bifrost 2 or a used HoloSpring but for the moment I got no possibilitys to test them in my system (I`m using a tube packed preamp and as a headamp the Emotiva BasX 100 with the jumpers set as my "heddphone" requires some juice) and sure I`m open to any other ideas.

So, what would be your favourite devices when looking at my desired sound and knowing what (tiny amount) I got to spend?


It should be able to handle 24/96 btw, but my main concern would be an extremely deep and wide soundstage and a darker organic tonality.

Would be really glad for some help and input.

Best regards
Michael


barrista0611

Showing 3 responses by mahgister

mahgister's avatar
mahgister
12,951 posts
 
Thanks....

I makes a very great number of experiments, homemade materials or device, very lost cost one, and succeed in creating a continuous increase of S.Q. in the 3 dimensions of audio : mechanical(controls of vibrations and resonance) electrical,controls of the noise floor of the house grid, and mostly acoustic of the room in a passive orthodox and less orthodox active way...

my motto is:  Never upgrade anything before embedding everything rightfully....

Guess what: after any good audio system  is rightfully embed, the upgrade urge disappear in the pure music listenings....

My best to you....
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
12,951 posts
 
"Organic" for me means that all aspect of sound are perfectly and naturally integrated...

I know perfectly well what this word means in audio.... 7 years ago i begins my audio journey and it takes me all these years with experiments to create an "organic" sound.... You know it when you create it yourself...

But many bought it with costly components and takes it for granted indeed.... I am not in this case....
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
12,951 posts
 



It should be able to handle 24/96 btw, but my main concern would be an extremely deep and wide soundstage and a darker organic tonality.
I have all of it except it is not darker but warm with details without end....Starting Point Systems Nos dac tda 1543....For the price perfect.....I will never upgrade because I dont sense any limitations with my audio system.... Rightly embedded this dac is a MINIMAL design marvel, look at the inside....I pay this 24 dollars on an Ebay bid.... :)


I apologize for my bragging about....But.... Some poors audiophiles must know about this marvel....It can be bought used for 100 bucks or a little more....Forget any dac upgrade after that.....
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