R2R next? Don't like ESS

+ Denafrips. Love my Pontus II 12th with IRIS DDC combo.  The entry level Enyo 15th supposed to be a big upgrade. Topping now makes an R2R DAC at similar price point to entry Denafrips. Don’t know much about it, worth a look. I have a D90LE in my bedroom system which has a low watt SEP tube amp and warm speakers so the ESS chip effect is a good match. The Pontus II is superior in my main rig.

I was always a vinyl guy and purchased a SMSL SU-9 DAC as my entry into the world of DAC’s to replace the built in DAC on my Bluesound Node being It just didn’t sound that great. The SU-9 was surprisingly pretty good sounding but was not warm enough for me.  Last year, I attended Capitol AudioFest stopping by the Black Ice Room and listened to their Black Ice Glass FX Tube DAC and liked it so much as soon as I got home I ordered one.… It utilizes a Burr Brown Chipset but has Tube Output so by rolling the tubes you can obtain a very nice sound. I replaced the stock tubes with 1960 NOS GE 5751 Black Plates and it sounds fantastic !…At times I have to force myself to turn off my system.  I even demo’d it at one of our audiophile society's frankensystem events and the general consensus amongst the attendees was that the deck was very musical surprising many.

You may want to check them out, they do offer a home trial.  

Dip your toes very gently in to the world of R2R with a FIIO K11 $185

I can recommend the Holo Audio Cyan 2.  It’s designed to have one input because changing inputs is not as simple as pushing a button.  So if that works for you it sounds excellent, is very well built and costs about $1300 shipped.  It’s the best sounding DAC I’ve listened to for under $2K.  

Heh @iseland - yep, great comment.  That's the lesson I think.  I was spoiled with the tone board - it was my first dac for like $100 and it was surprisingly acceptable.  Moving around that same pricepoint - even doubling it - didn't seem to offer any more.

Seems Denafrips for the easy win and they're all of the place used.  Though, I must admit, I'm slightly intrigued with the tube dacs.  I will look into these more.  The Maverick audio was tube and I really enjoyed it.