dacs that I have had in my system - a listing

That’s an amazing list of dacs @jjss49 holy cow! Thanks for sharing.

Did you have something close to a control reference system you used to evaluate most of these or did you change speakers and amps too in parallel at times?

The reason I ask is I’ve changed other things in my system at times that sometimes makes me want to go back and retry some dacs I had before.

[btw] I always wondered how some of Frank’s older dacs sounded, never heard one, you answered that too. I'm sort of into wanting to retry some of the older dacs again with other amp, speaker, tube changes I've made since. Thx.

Yep! I think all the questions show interest and great admiration of someone truly having a passion for self-learning and validation in ones own system(s) versus taking anyone’s word for it. Just gotta love it. If you can do it, it’s the only way to go.

The rest of us tag along trying to leverage this information and experience in different ways to learn vicariously through @jjss49, with great appreciation!

@jjss49 I had a similar type of question about the testing process used. It's helpful to learn about the additional cone driver speakers referenced.  Thanks for sharing that information. Those are some really nice speakers to test with and compare dacs. 

If I may ask, and not that it was necessary nor do I know of your past setups,  by chance were any high efficiency 100db horn type speakers with low watt tube amps used around the time you were testing these dacs?  If so, what kind of differences did you happen to notice with treble energy, mids, or bass for that matter...

One dac to mention for the $, value, and somewhat in the neutral-clarity camp is the new Schiit Bifrost 2/64, R2R chip (non-tube) with non-oversampling / MegaComboBurrito filter switch. Internally runs two Texas Instruments dac processors chips.

As mentioned prior, myself@decooney @wolf_garcia @hilde45 and maybe a few others here owning one and enjoying it. I selected the BF 2/64 dac between my upgraded MHDT Orchid and the new build of my BorderPatrol SE-I, and super glad I tried it. I still have it for now as a reference dac to rotate back to compare.

There are few folks out there on Head-Fi, SBAF, and other camps who like it more than Gungir and the venerable Yggy. The owner of Schiit replaced Yggy with it, for his personal desktop use. Also, has the new Unison USB setup in it too, if you like USB. I lot of value packed in one USA made unit.

If you like a bit more sound stage, openness, separation of instruments, appreciate a bit more detail, even in NOS filter mode, I like it better than my MHDT Orchid, no matter which tube I ran in Orchid (because I run an all-tube system).  With all solid state, I might prefer the Orchid, hard to say. To me, the new Schiit BF 2/64 is  more true to the sound.The switchable MCB filter mode gives mild bass boost and upper frequency boost in my system - for whatever reason.  While I prefer NOS mode, some with less sensitive speakers or laid back system might like MCB filter mode more.

For the price, its a real contender imo. A return policy too if you don’t like it. Worth a look too, fwiw.

@jjss49 decooney i did not... long long story with my efforts over the decades trying to find a high efficiency speaker i can truly live with long term ...but despite my efforts, i continue to strike out after so so many at bats... just too much transducer distortion for my ears in some form, in each case.

If you have not tried it yet, the new (redesigned) Klipsch Cornwall IV is known to be a bit of a microscope for noticing differences in component changes. Paired with a nice 300B amp like yours, could be kinda fun. I helped a few friends design/build cabinets for three pairs of revealing Altec Onken replicas, too big for my place. But, would be nice to try some Cornwall IVs. I can imagine they could reveal differences in dac testing and sound nice too. Checking with my local dealer to go listen, I’m interested in hearing the midrange they offer. A big fan of the old style...wall of sound for amp and dac testing... :) 

@vinylvalet Was not to be my primary dac long term, already had something in the works, and it caught me off guard. I have a 2nd system I was thinking of putting together and thought I’d use it there - making any reasons to try and keep it..., unfortunately that’s not going to happen. Need to part wtih it and some other gear for other unplanned expenditures that just came up at home. Gonna end up likely selling my other beloved 50w Class A SS amp too, and a bunch of other stuff having to let go of. House rules here, no extra-extra spares lying around - argh. No extra speakers or parts left, all other cables gone now too. Limited storage and any overlap or duplication eventually has to go here. I’m certain I’ll regret selling both and wish I had it back later.Weeks back I recently picked up a new custom built Border Patrol SE-I, and wanted to also try that for a different configuration in my main system I use, covering costs for that too. Would absolutely love to keep it around that’s for sure. Can’t have it all I guess, had to list it - bleh, waaaahhh, not allowed to be spoiled here.For the $, that BF 2/64 is something I know I’m absolutely going to regret parting with, oh well. It’s a neat dac though. Thanks for asking.