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Zu + what DAC =Musical Happiness.

As the title suggests I am thinking of upgrading my DAC.  I currently have Zu Druid speakers, Melody el 34 integrated, eastern electric DAC+ being fed Qobuz through Audivarna. There are 2 main reasons for upgrading. First, EE never updated their Mac drivers past Yosemite so I can no longer use my Mac mini and am forced to run via windows work laptop and second while really good I assume the EE can now be bested. I mostly listen to indie rock, pop with some Hawaiian and jazz sprinkled in. So sound quality is not always the best.  Budget is less than 1200 used.  Based on reviews I am currently considering chord qutest and MHDT orchid but I have no experience with either. 
128x128jkontuly
spiritofmusic
828 posts
 
Congrats on the Zus. I'm a seven years-long owner of Definitions 4, the 2s for 5 years prior to those.

Mr. Zu on this forum, 213Cobra, absolutely loves his MHDT dacs. Pagoda balanced or Atlantis s/e, w some tube rolling. Reach out to him.

On his advice, I'm v likely going Atlantis, w Innuos Zen Mk2 streamer.
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
chord 2qute is very very close to qutest, at 1/2 the cost, don't know if you care about saving $

rme adi2 also very good

schiit multi bit dacs also very well regarded for value and performance but i have not heard one
jkontuly's avatar
jkontuly OP
59 posts
 
I will definitely reach out to 213Cobra he has helped me out immensely in the past. Without ever hearing FPGA or R2R  I am wondering if the only way to know for sure is to try both out. 
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