Difference Between DAC Types


I’m curious if R2R ladder DACs and Delta-Sigma DACs are each better suited to certain types of music, i.e. vocals, amplified vs. non-amplified music, etc.

I’ve only owned Delta-Sigma DACs and have never heard an R2R ladder DAC. However based on reviews of some R2R products I’m considering moving in that direction but also understand there are inherent differences between the two DAC types. Not really looking for recommendations for specific DACs I should listen to of either type although that may be unavoidable to the discussion. I’m mostly intrigued by some of the online reviews for small company DACs like Border Patrol and Mhdt Labs where it’s said they can compete with much more expensive DACs.

My musical tastes are all over the board but maybe 50% rock (not hard) – folk - reggae etc. amplified music, the other made up mostly of acoustic folk, vocals, jazz and whatever else is in my library. I’d hate to move to R2R and find that female vocals are greatly improved, but at the expense of electric guitars, etc.

FWIW I’m running an AR pre, Pass amp, ATC speakers.

So, are there any distinct or unique characteristics inherent to R2R ladder DACs vs. Delta-Sigma DACs?


jaybe
@jaybe 
It's not so much about the chip. But it is all about the implementation. 

@elizabeth 
Agree with much you say. 

In the end, by the DAC you like the sound of BEST, regardless of chip.
I agree with everything above, especially that making generalizations can be very misleading and are mainly for those who find it easier or more comforting to compatmentalize things rather than having to make the effort to think about and assess each component on its own merits.

HOWEVER, and please don’t flame me too hard on this -- I’m just trying to help the OP out with some observations that might be helpful -- I do have a thought that might bring some perspective. So, my analogy between delta-sigma and R2R (and especially R2R NOS DACs), strikes some similar chords with me as comparing solid state and tubed electronics.

Distilling down lots of reading both of audio reviews on sound and scientific observations, delta-sigma DACs tend to measure better overall and sound more detailed and maybe sound quicker. R2R/NOS DACs, on the other hand, don’t measure as well overall but tend to sound more "analog" with richer tonal colors and nuance but can sound less detailed or sparkly in the treble region. Sound a little like the tubes vs. solid state debate? Sure does to me. And, just like in that debate, both can be excellent in their own right and there is no right or wrong -- just personal preference.

Anyway, you have an excellent, and interesting, combination of components in your system, and my guess is you have an idea of what you’d like to achieve from a system perspective with a new DAC. Hope this gross generalization helps at least give you some direction in some small way as to which way you might want to look. Best of luck.
The best dac is nos dac ! So natural and analog specially with tube nos and you can do tube rolling with them 
Like others have said it is personal choice. But there are things to keep in mind. First is the house sound concept. Most DACs tend to have a house sound. For instance, IMO, Schiit Multibit DACs are very forward and detailed sounding. No roll off. Chord Qutest is an FPGA (I hope I got that acronym right!) has multiple settings. Most of which tend to be warmer than Schiit’s. So it depends on the sound you want. Also as noted above some DACs have different settings for how much rolloff you want or not. Schiit, for instance has no such settings.  Chord, Benchmark and plenty of other do. Also, do you want your DAC to handle DSD or MQA. Some do. Some don’t. So it’s about personal taste in sound, variation in that sound through settings and whether you want DSD and/or MQA processing. Good luck.