Simaudio 680D?
Don’t know if you are familiar with Mojo Audio , but if not you may want to research to see if it fits your needs. Mojo Audio EVO DAC (three versions ) is built in New Mexico - Ben offers 45 day no risk https://www.mojo-audio.com/digital-to-analog-converters/ https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/mojo-audio-mystique-evo?highlight=mojo%2Baudio |
Thanks for the feedback all. @filipedine - You’re right about getting those other details set. An update: I passed on the Marantz and ended up buying the Auralic Vega G2.1 as it seemed a natural pairing with my Aries. It’s very good. However, when I started looking into adding the Leo clock and Sirius up sampler (not yet available in the U.S.) I though I should also consider the Mola Mola Tambaqui for comparison. So, while I’m in a good spot, I’m still open to upgrading. New or still on the list: Simaudio 680 - I’d just pair it with my Aries if the MiND wasn’t as good. Mola Mola Tambaqui adding the Leo clock, and perhaps Sirius when available T+A SD 3100 HV The latter is way more expensive than the others but I’ll have a chance to audition one in early April and am looking forward to it. It would have to be significantly better to justify the price - and that’s hard in a world of diminishing returns. |
Thanks for asking your question and sharing with us. I am beginning this same journey and have similar products on my short-list. I live in montana so any auditions requires travel to Salt Lake City or Denver. How are you enjoying the Vega G2.1? I plan to pair it with McIntosh C2700 tube preamp and B&W 802D3 speakers. |
@skohlmey sorry for the tardy response. I still plan to audition the Simaudio 680, but I will share that I’ve come to recognize that the Vega G2.1 is very good and fully competitive with other units of similar price. A few things worth sharing. I upgraded to an English Electric 8 network switch and Network Acoustics ENO filter and cable. Together, they made a very significant improvement in my system. I have Nordost Tyr 2 balanced interconnects to connect my DAC to integrated amp. I auditioned the Nordost Tyr 2 USB cable to compare to the Auralic lighting link cable supplied (it’s an HDMI cable) and the lighting link was clearly superior in sound quality and allows the Aries and Vega to speak to each other and share some processing resources. The combination of the two, using this protocol is quite good - frankly it’s tough to surpass. Why do I say this? I am a T+A owner and fan. I auditioned the SDV 3100 HV in my system. That unit is a DAC + streaming client + preamp. All these functions are considered by many to be state of the art, or close to it - even against much pricier units (and there aren’t too many above that price point). Was the T+A better as a DAC/server than my Auralic stack? Clearly yes, but the difference was smaller than many here might guess. That’s not a knock against the T+A, but a kudos to Auralic. I’ve heard some dealers and people I respect suggest that DACs are maturing and that there’s diminishing returns there - better gains are to be found in the server/streaming function. I also think w/ the upgraded network switch and filter, I’ve optimized my digital such that performance gains by going further upstream are diminished. Hope this helps some in your journey. Mine has been interesting and revealing in ways that have been unexpected and pleasantly surprising. Best, |
Facten… this week I received a complete Mojo Audio front end. Mystique v2X DAC (updated), Illuminati power supply for an i5 NUC built by Mojo. Linux based, Dejavú software, jriver. Streaming currently is not a criteria for me, at all. But the software does like Qbouz (spelling). There is a learning curve for me. As things currently stand I am one happy camper. Elated with what I am hearing. Benjamin is a pleasure with which to deal. Informative he is. VERY!Don’t know if he sleeps. |
