DAC Upgrade


I currently using a Bryston BDA-1 DAC and although it is a pretty good DAC, I want to upgrade to a 2r2 DAC. I recently purchased a Jays Audio cdt2 mk.ll transport and it is exceptional. My budget is in the $2,000 range and after careful review, I have narrowed the list to Schitts-Yagdrasil, Denafrips-Pontus and Holo Spring 2 level 2(new). Unfortunately, It is difficult to compare the three of them side by side, so I have to rely on expert reviews. I am looking for a DAC that is transparent, extended but smooth highs, 3D midrange and tight bass. My equipment is Prima Luna Prologue Pre Amp, Prima Luna Dialogue HP Amp and Silverline Sonata Mk.III speakers. Any thoughts?
cavy

Ask anyone how owns a R2R Multibit dac or cdp while playing PCM Redbook that has the ability to switch on the fly between NOS and OS, and you'll get the majority saying the NOS sounds better to them for the reasons I mentioned above, which are:

" In NOS mode with the Holo Spring dac playing PCM RedBook, there is more body to the sound, and the treble has more transparent and noticeable "harmonic" extension to it."      
mzkmxcv
@cavy I have found that great measurements don’t always produce great sounding equipment
It usually does when doing a double-blind session (and level-matched below clipping and quick switching)
Please tell us about the double-blind listening tests you've conducted. Or, are you relying on the effort of others when you make this claim?
@cleeds

The effort of others who have hundreds of international participants ranging in age/experience/sex and are pretty much always in agreement.

I don’t have the money nor the time to buy dozens of equipment and setup level matched blind listening tests.

You are the one claiming the studies don’t prove so, so the burden is mostly on your end.

Also, using common sense to not belive in things just cause I’m good by others. For instance, 24Bit has no benefit over 16Bit in a residential environment, that’s because the only difference is the noise floor, and the noise floor of 16Bit is lower than any residential environment. 
 
I like being proven wrong with facts, not someone telling me so. I don’t buy into expensive digital cables the same way I don’t buy into essential oils over medical treatment.
mzkmxcv
The effort of others who have hundreds of international participants ranging in age/experience/sex and are pretty much always in agreement.
Please tell us to what tests you refer.
I don’t have the money nor the time to buy dozens of equipment and setup level matched blind listening tests.
You wouldn’t need to buy "dozens of equipment" to perform such a test. You know that, right?
You are the one claiming the studies don’t prove so, so the burden is mostly on your end.
I have made no such claim and suffer no burden. You’ve cited the results of blind testing - I’m just asking for details on those tests.
@cleeds

The studies/books/papers of Toole, Olive, etc. in regards to speakers/headphones.

The study by this team of people as well as others showing that no one has 70% confidence or higher is differentiating CD vs 320Kbps MP3.

The many AES papers and human trials (one done by Axiom Audio for instance) showing linear and non-linear distortion audibility.

Geddes’ work/papers for subwoofers, waveguides, etc.

Again, I welcome discussion, and have asked many times to be given points where my logic/reasoning fails. So, besides “this one sounded better to me”, I’d love to hear why the Benchmark or Chord DACs aren’t transparent enough, and not say Herb Reichert of Stereophile saying the Benchmark removed the sound of church walls in a recording.