Some DACs I am Considering-Any thoughts?


Soekris 2541                $1.1

Doge 7                         $1.2

Mhdt Pagoda               $1.4

Denafrips Pontus         $1.8

Audio Mirror SE           $2.5

Holo Audio Spring 2    $2.7

Audio Note 4.1 Kit       $3.6

Lampizator Amber 3    $3.8

Anyone who can speak from experience  about comparisons
between any two these?

I like the use of a tube and I like the R2R style of build.

Prefer to stay under $2.5 but might be swayed.

Thanks in advance for sharing.

(Some of these prices are certainly not correct)
chorus
I can't comment on these. I have the MHDT Orchid and I love it. What I will say is that based on what I've read and heard, you (OP) have compiled an excellent and selective list. Well done!
I can't comment on the models you mentioned, as I have not heard them in any setting.   But I will say, never but never buy a DAC that is not 32 bit / 384KHz compatible, has a Femto Clock with very low jitter, and can handle any format shoved into it.  The reason is if you get something other than the above, it will become obsolete in a few years and all that cash you spent becomes, well, "so yesterday".    Trust me; been there, done that, got the T-shirt!
I have the Doge 7 DAC and it’s quite good, to the point where I’m surprised it hasn’t garnered much of a following. I have it rolled with NOS tubes and it is very warm, liquid and images really well. I’m an analog guy so I go for DACs that reproduces the things I like about analog.

I can’t compare it to the others although I do have a little bit of GAS for those R2R DACs which supposedly are very analog-sounding.

If you go with the Doge the one tip I’ll give is that it sounds much better to upsample all PCM music to DSD - i suspect it’s because it has a CMOS chip that converts all incoming PCM signal to DSD since the ESS chipset is a delta-sigma DAC. Roon does this easily and it made a big improvement.
I have the Ayre Codex not on your list you should give it a listen       it out performs many I have enjoy this DAC for year I heard many not better just different you do need to go and listen to which ever one you pick 

Enjoy the Music
Tom
I’d go with the Audio Note Kit DAC...had the 2.1...it was amazing...would have the 4.1 if I had the coin.

The AN kit DACs have an amazingly natural but full sound.   If seeking cold and analytical...look elsewhere.