Thinking about getting a R2R DAC

In skimming this thread I didn't see them mentioned so thought I'd shout out to Kitsune' / Holo Audio.  I first went with the Holo Spring Kitsune' edition R2R from a standard chip DAC and loved the improved sound. R2R for me until some kind of audio breakthrough happens.
Since then I moved the spring to another system and got the Holo Audio May for my main 2 channel.  Terrific sounding!

Yeah same, I borrowed an early Holo Spring L2 discrete R2R dac and was blown away at how good everything sounded from my CD collection, real "meat" on the notes, especially on the midrange, very dynamic and transparent, then I switched it to NOS mode and things got even better. It better my Linn CD12 R2R and that was very good.

After I sent it back to the the owner, I got myself a MSB discrete R2R and same thing again and have never wanted to upgrade the front end again.
Note: these discrete R2R dacs show up CD transports, you need to have a good one.

Cheers George

So I got the MHDT Pagoda today and put it up against the Qutest.  I know I need to let the Pagoda break in so it's not quite a fair comparison yet.  It was very interesting.  I like aspects of both.  

The Pagoda has a fuller richer tone.  More meat on the bones.  The soundstage is broader.  There is an analog character to it that is very appealing.  Mids are rich and broad and colorful without any sense of bloat

The Qutest is more resolving.  It's a leaner presentation.  Going back and forth it feels like the mids got sucked out.  However the highs and high mids are more present and give a much more 3D soundstage.  The Pagoda is big but more 2D in comparison.  The Qutest feels faster and more nimble whereas the Pagoda is like a big steak dinner.


I am quite shocked at how different these 2 DACs sound.  I really like both but I am leaning toward keeping the Qutest in my main system as I miss the 3D soundstage that the Chord provides.  I might have to sacrifice richness for soundstage.  

My girlfriend who is also a musician preferred the Qutest

I'm going to keep breaking in the Pagoda and maybe roll a different tube in there at some point and see what happens.  Thanks again everyone for your help!

Breaking in is bullocks man. Just keep your Qutest allright. Check Andrew Robinson on YouTube, he busts the breaking in myth.

The Pagoda has a tube. Is there much debate about tubes needing break in? Mine definitely changed over first 40 hrs.