Need help choosing a new DAC

@Terrapin77,

I wrote this before realizing that you had already pulled the trigger. 

My DS2 doesn’t have a balanced in, but you can get balanced to RCA conversion connectors, and that’s what I use on the outputs of my Yggdrasil. If you are not in a big hurry, I have a Yggdrasil Less is More board coming in a few months, the updated Unison USB in a couple of days, and a Holo Audio Spring 3 in 5 weeks give or take. The Holo supposedly spanks the Pontus II, which I was originally thinking of buying. So, if you are not in an awful rush, I should be able to give you my input in a few months. From what I gather though, they lay out this way.

1. Yggdrasil OG

Tied for second are the less is more, and the Spring 3 for detail retrieval.

The less is more is supposed to be more "pleasant" to listen to, which I suspect means that the highs are slightly muted, and the Spring I understand is similar. The better than Yggdrasil OG DACs are supposed to be the Holo Audio May, and the Dumfries Terminator I believe it is called, and I believe that one reviewer claimed that the Dumfries Terminator sounded better than the Holo May.

The Yggdrasil is the first component that I have had in my system that I absolutely needed an isolation transformer due to noise on my AC. I may have been able to benefit from one before, but I thought all of the power conditioning and various power cables were snake oil before out of desperation I tried an isolation transformer on the Yggdrasil. The highs were ear bleeding hot, but to my disbelief the isolation transformer cleared up that issue.

Anyway, having the DS2 I am assuming that you love neutrality, so that we then share the desire for a precise playback. Therefore we may share similar taste in DACs. The Yggdrasil with the older, less capable analog card was reviewed as sounding better than 13K and even an 80K DAC if memory serves. It’s no more perfect than is any piece of equipment, but it is pretty darned good.

 I had an original Bifrost that I used with a Chromecast plugged into my Oppo 105 just to get introduced and familiar with streaming, mainly Spotify. This would be feeding my Rogue Athena, Cary cad-200 and a pair of Totem Forests.It was def smoother than the dac in the 105. Knowing I was about to begin a long journey, eventually upgraded to a Bluesound node 2i, which allowed me to then start with Qobuz. I finally picked up a Yggdrasil and feel like it could really stay for awhile. The definition and quality improvement has really been amazing. I must also give credit to the Forests, as they have revealed every change I have made, thankfully for the better, including cable changes.

If u can find a used audio Note Kit dac, 2.1 or 4.1 it would be worth your while to try the out.  They ooze musicality, but very simple w no mqa, or OS,, etc.

+1 for the Frerot.  Incredibly good for the price.  I have one w a external power supply for sale...if interested, give me a shout.

Good luck in ur search.

I have the MHDT Orchid (with choice of 2 "rolled" NOS tubes for the buffer circuit) and heartily recommend this DAC. It sounds wonderful, is very compact, and allows tube swaps in the buffer circuit. 

NOS is the way to go in digital, and this is one of the most reasonable options around if you're not intent on getting DSD, MQA, or any other acronyms in your system. 

If it’s digital then strongly consider HiFi Rose.   I have heard and listened to a huge amount of very very good dacs.  These are streamers,preamp dacs. The sound and usability of these units are magical!  I have never heard a product that has had such a profound effect on my system.   I bought the rs150b and I’m still in shock how good it is.    Just my 2 cents but check it out for yourself.   
 

Regards,  j