Mola Mola Tambaqui

I wouldn't doubt it navyachts! My Ares II handlily displaced Chord Qutest. So price is not always indicator of quality of sound. But I keep writing tests have to conducted level matched and not knowing which dac is in the chain when auditioning.

Hey jjss49! I recently saw Hans latest video! His new reference is Chord Dave with Mscaler!

yes - but it is unclear that the scaler + dave is markedly superior to the dave itself

the scaler was co developed generationally with the hugo tt2, i understand from rob watts that those two are truly the most synergistic

anyhow, they are all up in the stratosphere of the best performing digital front ends out there, regardless of price

Yes true jjss49! Someone reported that listen to TT2 and Mscaler and actually prefer Pontus II! That's how I feel when I compare my Ares II to my Qutest. Qutest had a bit more resolution but overall sound thin on my system. I wonder if due to the external wall power supply plug. Thanks for all your help! I will be taking the leap later this week!

How many in this thread who are responding have actually owned a Tambaqui dac?  I have…. It is a superb solid state dac- extremely low noise floor with excellent purity.  Would I own it again?  No question.  
However it was handily beaten in an A/B comparison in my buddy’s system against an Aries Cerat Helene.  The Helene was more open on top and greater musicality in our panel’s opinion.  He has since upgraded to the AC Kassandra II- an amazing dac….  Now keep in mind, these ARE tube units- Tambaqui is solid state, however superb in its own right.