Adding a Dac and Stresmer

@silverfoxvtx1800  Airplay means you are pushing that signal into your system.

With a dedicated streamer and DAC or a streamer/DAC you will use yr. Phone or IPad to have the streamer put out a far better sound

Sgreg1,

I agree that the Gustard R26 is a very good DAC that should be in the conversation when looking at R2R DACs, but don’t agree with the blanket statement “almost all preferred the Gustard” over Denafrips. Which Denafrips DAC are we talking about? Did they do a side by side comparison in their system?

There are four recommendations for the Denafrips Pontus II just in this thread.

For R2R DACs In addition to the Gustard R26 I would recommend considering Holo Audio Spring III and May DACs, Musician Aquarius, and Denafrips Pontus II and Terminator series…..all of which I’ve demo’d in my system. I can’t recommend more than that, as I haven’t done a head to head comparison.

Happy listening!

Pontus is great sounding DAC with lots of flexibility and potential. For streamer I would suggest to look towards units with separate linear power supply. I think your price range will allow it. 

I did up my price range to 7000 to 8000, I am thinking maybe the Auralic Aries G1.1….some where in that range…

Was going to recommend Goldnote DS10 ($3000) + PSU10 Evo($1400) at your original budget.  Simple one-box DAC/streamer with optional power supply.  I have this combo in my big rig as a roon endpoint.  A few months ago I did a DAC shootout with a friend: my Goldnote vs DCS Bartok (his) vs Okto Research DAC8 Stereo (mine) vs. Mytek Brooklyn (his).  I actually preferred the sound of the DS10 over the Bartok - to my ears the Goldnote was a more “musical”, fuller sounding DAC.  The Bartok spanked the other two DACs.  (And for the record, my friend preferred the Bartok.  We were listening in his system, which included a Boulder integrated and Avalon speakers.)