R2R next? Don't like ESS

"I was the proud and very happy owner of a MSB Platinum Signature DAC (based on a proprietary R2R topology) for many years. I was lucky enough to find it in 2021 for $7,000...  I am back to MSB, this time with their "entry" offering, the "Discrete" [Discrete pricing starts at $12,500.]

Interesting forum -- a fellow posts a question about an "entry level" DAC on a "budget?  as little as possible..." and gets a response that basically says he needs to spend at least $7,000.  I understand budgets are relative to the person, but nothing like bragging about how well off one is to someone who is obviously not as favorably positioned.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650186437-gustard-r26-r2r-dac/

Gustard R26 dac for $825.  It's an r2r dac. 

I had the Gustard R26 Ladder DAC . I replaced my streamer with the Eversolo A8 which has the AK 4499 Velvet chipset. I ended up selling the Gustard because I like the sound of the Ak 4499 better. Maybe just the implementation with the streamer, preamp, DAC combo in this unit

If I was buyng a stand alone DAC, I would seriously consider the Gishelli models which come with the AK Velvet 4499 chipset and XLR outputs. Another option is the SMSL E70 (I think) with the AK4499 chipset and XLR outputs to your amp 

To follow 1happyman and give my journey over the last few years including some of the entry R2R DAC’s mentioned here that might help with your decision.

TL;DR: After 3 R2R DAC’s(at different points), a Chord 2Qute, and a DACless amp(Technics SU-GX70 which is so versatile), I have settled on the Gustard A26(Dual AK 4499EX chips) for now and am really enjoying it. It has what I was looking for in an R2R DAC and still has detail that I felt was missing from the R2R DAC’s.

I started out using the DAC’s in my PS Audio Sprout and Bluesound Node 2i. I then went to a Raspberry PI running Volumio/Roon with a custom R2R DAC. It’s the least expensive R2R that I have used and also my favorite. I then moved on to an OG Denfrips Ares and had that in my system for a year. I got curious and ended up with a Chord 2Qute. It was a tough choice between the Chord and the Denafrips as they both had their strengths and weakness depending on the type of music I was listening to. I kept the Chord in my system for a year and became curious again. I started looking for an OG Chord Hugo TT, but ended up with a Holo Audio Cyan 2. It’s a solid DAC but I just didn’t do it for me so I went looking and ended up with the Gustard A26 which to me has the a lot of the positive attributes of an R2R DAC combined with the positive attributes of an D/S DAC. I am happy with the sound and synergy with my current system. I still would like to put a Hugo TT in my system as I did like the Chord "sound" and would like to hear a higher level Chord DAC.

A few things that are great about the Gustard A26 is that: 1.It can take a direct ethernet connection and act as a renderer negating the need for a streamer. 2. It can also act as a NAA if you want to use HQPlayer.

I listen about 75% with headphones and 25% nearfield. The main parts of my current system are Sonore Optical Rendu, Gustard A26, LTA MZ3(preamp and headphone amp), Peachtree GaN 400(amp), and Neat Petite Classics(speaker).

I hope my journey and listening experience can help with your decision. Happy Listening!

I own the Pontus 15th and I can tell you it is an absolute steal.Denafrips really served us a gem of a deal. I upgraded my system from the Aune Twins (Sc9 Dac & Sc1 clock) if you want to stay under $1,400 this is the setup to consider and yes it sounds much better than an Aries II which i also own (the twins have a very detailed but smooth R2R like signature). All that being said when I understood Denafrips was offering a step up (Venus 12th) at a 50% off discount I pulled the trigger for the Pontus,you cannot go wrong here...grab one now before Denfrips cannot afford to cover the tariff hit which they are doing now.