How good is EVO compared to Holo May and Terminator? I have tried to find the answer to this question but couldnt find one.
DAC Choices - $5,000 to $7,000
What are the current top DAC choices in the approximately $5-$7K price range (new or used) that I should look at as possible upgrades to my current Metrum Adagio?
Having an on-board volume control is not a factor as I can operate my system either way. If I wanted to spend more I would look at Totaldac, Rockna Wavedream Signature, or one of the other top-end contenders, but I selected the price range to achieve a sound quality that is consistent with the rest of my system and because I don't want to spend more due to the still evolving nature of digital technology. I do like the more natural sound
(to my ears)
of NOS R2R DACs. So far, I have considered the three below, but none seem to be a slam-dunk upgrade from the Adagio, which still sounds pretty good in my system. The decision is complicated by having to "buy to try" so that I can hear one in my system. Maybe now is not the time for an upgrade. Any thoughts?
- Denafrips Terminator w/DSP board - Reportedly has the full body/dense tone type of sound I like, but also has a high'ish output impedance
- Holo May KTE - Reportedly measures great for an R2R DAC and has strong reviews
- Rockna Wavelight - Some reviewers like it but others put it in the middle of the pack for the price
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Bricasti m3 with streamer card is a incredible deal and digs very deep into the recording and sounds very natural vs the Holo springs May KTE and Denafrips terminstor +. The Bricasti sounded more fleshed out with better tonal balance ,very close 95% of their $10k m1 dac and a pure Analog preamp section from their m21 , and Differentially balanced circuit ,and running 2 ANalog devises 1955 Multibit dacs ,I can see why Bricasti is used often in professional mastering studios . I bought the M3 which also module for future upgrades ,CNC machined aluminum chassis ,and made in MA. U.S.A not China !! |
If you are in search of excellent value ... The R7HE MK2 is a dual mono fully balanced Class A reference quality PCM/DSD DAC that is dramatically underpriced for its performance level. We have heard no DAC at near this price that presently competes with it. Most competitors are selling this level of quality for well over $10,000.00. Parts quality is world class. This is easily the best DAC that we have ever sold. We were shocked at its performance at this price https://www.underwoodhifi.com/products/audio-gd hth |
@quanghuy147 I have had both in my system. The Mojo has a certain naturalness to it that is rare IME, I describe it as moving from the recording booth into the studio. Especially on red book 44.1 material it is really good. The Terminator however was more three dimensional in my system and did some of the “HiFi” (in a good way) things better. Also it is very flexible with the ability to oversample, DSD, and offers very hi-rates if you like that sort of thing. For the price I would choose the terminator, which was about half as much as the Mojo. I was running both with a aurender N20 into Luxman electronics and Harbeth speakers. As always, system matching is key. |
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