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R2R next? Don't like ESS

Can you recommend a good 'starter' R2R dac?  I've been through a number of ESS Sabre dacs and they're not for me.  IMO, they lack a certain transparency that I'm after.  Point of reference:   The *only* dac that I've heard that is decent to my ears is a 10yr old Maverick Audio D3 w/ Sparkos OpAmp swap.  *This* was great.  Alas, I sold it because I thought I could do better with something newer.  

Geshelli's offerings have piqued my interest - the J3 in particular - but it's an ESS chip.  Wondering if I should make the jump to something R2R - Denafrips, Broder Patrol..  thoughts?

128x128martinman
mooncrikit's avatar
mooncrikit
48 posts
 

+1 for the MHDT Orchid...

+1 for the LAiV Harmony...

period, end of search...

martinman's avatar
martinman OP
96 posts
 

OP here again:

thanks everyone for the recommendations.  MHDT seems like a good place to start.   

I’m quite sure based on the forum experience that there is nothing wrong with ESS.  My findings are subjective and are my own, in my room, with my setup.  

mksun
576 posts
 

+1 for Denafrips. I have been extremely happy with my Pontus II which sounds superb using the I2S connection to my Jay’s Audio CD transport. If the Pontus is outside your budget then checkout the Ares, their entry level model.

dclone
11 posts
 

I really like Gustard R26. Not expensive and the sound suits me perfect. I listen to music through analogue sources primarily my turntables and reel to reel Revoxes and Studers. I use Qobus and Tidal only to find new music and after owning around 10 different dacs I found Gustard R26 and it sounds most "analogue" to me which suits me perfect. (I can´t listen to ess dacs I get headache after 20-30 minutes. To "sharp" sound)

sls883
633 posts
 

@dclone I went from a Gustard R26 to a Gustard X-30 (four ESS9039SPRO chips). I was afraid that I would miss the warmth of the R26.  I don't.  The X-30 is very impressive.  I'm sensitive to sibilance and high frequencies.  The X-30 is very detailed, but not bright or sharp.  

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