Dac: Does anyhting beat the Schiit Gungnir Multibit (Gumby) in the same price range?

timlub,

I have no personal experience with Gustard but I feel that it`s a bit over-hyped on some forums. You can check Head-Fi forums for Denafrips Ares R2R ladder dac. Here are some words from the HF member with very revealing top high-end system:

During the plays I also made a comparison with another my dac, Gustard X20U and with a dac of a friend of mine, Holo Spring level one, very similar technology as well since it is a R2R ladder dac. Well, the Gustard, unfortunately for me, is less on each parameter to Ares, impractical comparison.
Holo instead plays very well, especially in nos mode, but Ares is better, slightly, but better in the acoustic scene, it is more refined and even more detailed. The high frequencies are more airy with Ares while Holo they are a little more sparkling, bass frequency with both are very deep and controlled, on voices Ares win again on points, with Holo you hear a hint of sibilance that instead there aren't with Ares.

If you are interested in a R2R ladder DAC, there was a lot of buzz on the forum about the HOLO Audio – Spring DAC. Some say it beats both the Schiit Gumby and Yggy.
The Level 2 version is modded and priced at $1899, the Level 3 is $2499.
(I have no first hand knowledge).
https://kitsunehifi.com/product/springdacred/

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/holo-audio-spring-dac-affordable-discrete-r2r-multibit-dac-co... 

@pmboyd, I haven't tried the Schitt, but have recently auditioned a number of DACs including Meridian Director, Cambridge Audio, Resonessence Concero HP, TEAC.  Of the lot, the Concero was a step above the others. 

During our auditions in two different systems, it tended to have a more open, wider soundstage than most others. It has a very realistic tonal balance and timbre.  Very tight, but deep bass, making it the most musical of the bunch. 

Very impressive at the price point US $850.  My guess is that it will compete very well against similar or somewhat higher priced DACs.  

I suggest an audition, which might save you a few dollars. 

Full disclosure: for the last 10 yrs, all of my listening has happened on my desktop audio system, which I 've consistently upgraded. The powered speakers are next to be upgraded (Swan M200 MKIIs). They're quite pleasant, but not a top-level, audiophile design.

Regarding DACs: my 2nd DAC was the very good, inexpensive Peachtree Audio DAC iTx (I'm in agreement w/Vdotman about this unit). Still, I was restless w/"digital" aspects of sound on my system even w/this DAC. I got interested in R2R DACs. That led me to non-oversampling (NOS) DACs.

A Chinese company named Audio GD offers very well regarded R2R DACs (ie, DAC 19) and an NOS DAC, the NOS 19. Last summer I purchased the NOS 19. It proved to be a major detour in--and a major refinement of--my entire relationship w/digital audio.

What does it sound like? Well, digital "glare" is utterly gone. Transients aren't highlighted in the least. All the detail is there, but it sounds natural/organic. All the frequencies are there. I don't find the treble rolled off, for example...it scales up suitably w/a recording known to be bright). The midrange is just about perfect. And the bass has a very pleasing, rounded quality. I have a good sub and hear all the bass: it sounds very good.

I've gotten several high-quality headphone amp/preamps (Audio GD SA-31SE; Violectric V281). On headphones (multiple types), each sounds extremely good, albeit in very different ways. When I listen via speakers + sub, I hear all those differences, just larger. So I think the DAC is "telling the truth" in my system.

The NOS 19 is so good that I stopped thinking about DACs--no  upgrade fever. I don't even think of the DAC day-to-day. It just does what it does, and music sounds better for it.

I don't have a wide variety of DAC experience, esp. on the upper end. I use an Emotiva Sealth on the main system (as it has balanced outs plus a remote) and a Schiit Bifrost in the den. I recently upgraded the Schiit to the 4490 board - an easy install - and was hugely impressed by the physical quality of the boards, case, etc. It is built like a ruddy tank! Can't equate that to actual performance but if they put half the care into their designs as they do into construction, count me a customer.