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DAC shopping - Trying to sift through the Hype. Can I trust the reviews these days ??

Hi All,

Well I've been reading a ton of threads about DACs. This is a very complicated endeavor, trying to find a new DAC. My 1st question is: Can I trust all the Youtube reviews these days ?

Seems like everyone is promoting the same DACs. I'm looking into a R2R Dac. Tons of hype for Holo May,Cyan,Laiv Harmony,Denafrips. Are these truly great Dacs or are they just the flavour of the month ?. There is almost zero negativity towards these Dacs. It's kind of like when the Eversolo streamers came out. Seemed like every reviewer was pushing the Eversolo. So searching for a new DAC online almost seems like sponsored ADs everywhere, am I wrong in feeling this way ?

That all being said here is my criteria for a new DAC (Probably searching the used market to get best value)

I believe I want to go with a R2R Dac, but it's not a dealbreaker.

My budget: $1000-$3000

My system: Bryston 3B Cubed, VTL(tube pre),Bel Canto 3.7 Dac(with upgrades), Antipodes Ds-3(player/server).

I really enjoy my Bel Canto 3.7, but it doesn't have USB input and I'm curious how much better a DAC sounds in 2024, compared to an older Bel Canto,. My BC has an upgraded linear supply. Once again this DAC sounds beautiful, but when its not compared to anything......Maybe I'm depriving myself of a better DAC. This is the only DAC I've had with existing equipment.

I know plenty of you will say go audition as many DACs as you can, but that is difficult unless it's hooked up to my gear. Won't help going to a store with a DAC being hooked up to different gear.Plus I want to buy used. I can buy higher end with a bit of a discount.

 

From my research these are the DACs I'm thinking of pursuing:

Laiv Harmony

Denafrips Pontas ii

Holo Cyan

 

You can tell from my choices that I've been buying into the hype.

Please add to my list of DACs and please dispel any extra hype over the most talked about models.

Cheers.

128x128bunkertoy
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,066 posts
 

Op find companies with return policy like Schiitaudip and dealers you can audition.Many of us here can recommend but it’s better to try it in your system.

freediver
1,195 posts
 

I am SICK & TIRED of the CRAP that says USB is noisy!
 I can turn the volume up to absolute max on my SimAudio 240i with no signal,there is ABSOLUTELY NO NOISE,NO HASH,just a pitch black background!
  I'm willing to bet that 80% or more of the "USB is noisy"crowd also have an outdated SNAP,CRACKLE POP vinyl system as well,what a joke!

jond's avatar
jond
5,810 posts
 

Your Bel Canto is a very nice Dac it's unlikely you will improve on it substantially with your choices but you never know until you try. Good luck with your search.

bunkertoy's avatar
bunkertoy OP
51 posts
 

Sounds like the Dacs mentioned are nothing really special. BTW, that was not my end list. it was just the DACs that jumped out right away, once I typed in R2R dacs.

Once again, it seems I'm going to have to drop some bigger coin to get a game changer.

Perhaps suggestions on companies that allow you to sample their product before buying ? I think not many would do that, unless it was closer to $10K area.

The Dacs in a higher price range were

T + A

Totaldac

Lampizator

 

 

jimmy2615
438 posts
 

If you’re sticking with USB, a newer DAC may be better depending on its USB implementation and interior clock.  Ideally, what you would want to do to compare apples to apples, is get a really good streamer like an Aurender N20, then plug its SPDIF and USB into your DAC simultaneously, and listen to both.  Then do the same with DAC #2, and see if you hear any differences.  USB uses the DAC’s clock, SPDIF the streamer’s clock.  A lot of variables.  It would be a shame to throw away a great DAC because it sounded bad with one input, and you were never able to hear it through its other inputs.  So, with USB only, theres a good chance you could get something like a Pontus, prefer it to your Bel Canto, and get rid of the Bel Canto, when it fact it was overall the better DAC…and you’d never know it.  And then a lot of people swear by cable quality, especially for SPDIF.  So testing conditions become important.

Lastly, you really need to live with a couple DACs for a long time to start to appreciate any differences.  Especially if one is new.  Break in is real with DACs.  And in the end, differences can be very subtle.  After only a few days, you may come to one conclusion.  Then if you wait weeks or even months, you may come to a different conclusion.  Try to have fun with it!  

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