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Which R2R DAC UP TO 1K: ORGANIC, FULL-BODIED, DEEP SOUNDSTAGE

Hi all and hello George,

I`m new to Audiogon and as I have seen from earlier discussions some of you seem to be THE absolute R2R enthusiasts for many years. May I ask you for some help regarding this topic as I`m out for a new dac which should be R2R?

I`m coming from a Lector CDP 707, which is sold now as I got over to streaming, but I bloody regret it. The Lector had all I ever wanted, tonally he played on the warm, full-bodied side, organically with a lot of flesh to the bone and authority/slam and I loved the expansive soundstage, not overly wide but very deep. Bass was punchy enough even for EDM which I listen to mainly.

For the moment I`m using my former headamp as a DAC, the Questyle CMA 600i, with a DS chip on board, AKM 4490. I wouldn`t call it a catastrophe, but of course the signature is lightyears away from the Lector.

When looking for a new DAC I saw that Lector Strumenti offers some too, but I`m afraid my budget is too small with up to 1K, so this is not an option.

In respect of the Lector using the PCM 1704K I thought about (ab)using some vintage gear, for examle the Denon DVD 5000 with 4xPCM 1704J on board too (the Denon has a digital input and could be used as a stand alone DAC too), but I was told the analog stage is crappy and so I got away from this.

Still on my mind is the old Naim DAC and the Bifrost 2 or a used HoloSpring but for the moment I got no possibilitys to test them in my system (I`m using a tube packed preamp and as a headamp the Emotiva BasX 100 with the jumpers set as my "heddphone" requires some juice) and sure I`m open to any other ideas.

So, what would be your favourite devices when looking at my desired sound and knowing what (tiny amount) I got to spend?


It should be able to handle 24/96 btw, but my main concern would be an extremely deep and wide soundstage and a darker organic tonality.

Would be really glad for some help and input.

Best regards
Michael


barrista0611
gte357s
281 posts
 
@devilboy 
i am also looking for a DAC and come across this thread.  I am considering the following:
Audio GD R8
SMSL m400
Musical Paradis MP-d2 MK IIIDenafrips Pontus

I am looking for a smooth DAC.  Tried Toppings DX7pro and don’t like it, it has too much detail and analytical, and sometimes harsh in my opinion.
About the Yamamoto YDA01, I seems it is quite old, right?  So, it is still good compared to the latest technology?  Any opinion or guess how it will compared to my short list?

I really like Yamamoto brand for some reason.  I have been thinking to buy the A08s, but still haven’t bought one because of the 2W.  So, it is good to hear their YFA01 is good.  But it seems it is very rare in the used market.
mitch2
4,285 posts
 
@devilboy 
Did your Metrum DACs include the Pavane or Adagio?

devilboy
1,176 posts
 
@gte357s 
@mitch2 

Yes, the Yamamoto uses the older and now out of production, (I believe), 1794 chip but hey, natural is natural.  If you can't find one, consider an MHDT Orchid.

I have not heard an Adagio or Pavane so I can't comment on them. 

Cee's new company looks interesting, though. Sonnet Morpheus, I think. DAC with volume control.
mitch2
4,285 posts
 
Devilboy, I asked because I have owned Hex and Pavane L3 and still own Jade and Adagio (both which have VC), and while the Hex and Jade sound good, the Pavane L3 and Adagio were/are clearly a step up in naturalness and full-bodied tone.  The Yamamoto has a good reputation from owners and others who have heard it.  I previously owned Lector CDPs, and the newer model (at the time) used the TI PCM1704 chip which, while nice, did not match the naturalness of the TI PCM63 chip used in the older model.  The guy who purchased the older unit with the 63 chip told me I would regret selling it.
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,366 posts
 
Please remember the Denafrips Pontus ,Venus, terminator all use a new the same processor board with clock upgrade and DSD upgrade ,for $260 us  very easy unplug ,plug in new one  for any dac before March 2020.
Pontus with big seperate linesr power supply and 4 resistor ladder noticably better detailed then Ares2 ,$1000 more, the Venus is the sweet spot it uses 
same resistor of terminator .005 tolerance ,vs .01 for Ares2 and Pontus, 
all are great value and built excellent I just bought the Pontus excellent 
but I heard the. Venus and terminator plus each is sonicly more defined 
deeper soundstage better detail micro,macro.
i am saving for terminator 2 , thst being said I puts super regulator to clear up noise in my SS built computer and Jcat Femto clock usb card which makes a noticable improvement if using a pc , and putting on 5 v Sbooster linesr power to the Jcat card  sounds very good . The Schiit Yggsdrasil ,and mojo R2R dac 
just doesnot sound as detailed and natural as the new Denafrips Pontus .$1800
a steal, if you can stretch to $2800 buy the Venus a bit better detail ,and a bit more depth worth the extrav$$. The terminator ,or the plus &4400,$6500
 exceptional . I had ps audio top $6k dac snow mass ,not as involving one guy on utube says better No way 4 of us compared same day my friend at Audio get together has one he even agreed and sold his . The terminator plus will Best anything at 2+ plus it is a great dac and at 44 lbs a tank.

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