Ready For Digital Source...Computer?

Now have Bel Canto DAC 2.7 and it smokes both the Ferot and BP.

I really hate comments like this because everyone has them.  Just watch now for people coming out of their nooks and crannies and saying "this DAC is the absolute best" just because it's the dac they have.

I generally try to tell people what kind of sound a certain piece of equipment or combination will make instead of saying "this dac is better than this other dac". 

I would love for people to do the same here.  In what ways does the Bel Canto 2.7 sound --different-- than the BP and Ferot dacs?  What does it bring to the table?  What does it take away?  lol.  This will help people much more than just saying "this dac smokes xxx".

As far as the Bel Canto 2.7, it doesn't look really impressive internally.  A rather small transformor and power supply with op amps littered all over the I/V and output stage.  Because of the linear power supply, this dac may sound better than the stock Ferot.  But I bet the Ferot with linear power supply would beat the Bel :Canto.

As far as Border Patrol vs Bel Canto, I think it is a difference in sonic signature.  jerryg123 might like the resolution of the Bel Canto much better than the organic (slightly messy) character of the Border Patrol.  Does that mean Bel Canto smokes Border Patrol???  It's up to the listener and what they are looking for.

Touché auxinput

A couple of final contenders:

https://aoshida-audio.com/products/gustard-dac-x26-pro?DIST=Q0U%3D

http://www.economik.com/rme/adi-2-dac-fs/?gclid=CjwKCAiAqIKNBhAIEiwAu_ZLDvn_iaM5hEi__tTdCMU9ACEUGX-1CHg31A9WvnEVGJaI2LvJBbiHiRoCNRQQAvD_BwE

Or the least expensive (yyzsantabarbara raves about):

https://apos.audio/products/topping-d90se-dac

First thing to realize is that RME is a big name in the pro audio industry (recording studios, etc.).  The price of RME components is significantly higher than other pro audio components.  So you are already paying more for the RME than you would for comparable items.

Second, the RME has additional features for audio analysis and DSP audio EQ.  So you are paying for that as well.  If you need a DAC that has DSP EQ, then it's definitely an option.

There is one youtube video where the guy says the Topping D90 sounds cleaner/better than the RME ADI-2 DAC.  At $764, it's significantly less than the RME. 

The Topping D90 may be a good option if your budget is really low at the $700-800 level, but realize that the D90 has an internal switching power supply.  No way to upgrade to linear power supply here.

ok, so let's talk about Gustard X22.  The Gustard X22 is like a "half-version" of the LKS 005.  Good power supplies, dual ESS chips in high current mode.  However, it uses bunches of op amps for both I/V and output stages.  Plus you have Nichicon Gold Tune for main power supply capacitors.  Is the sound good?  Yeah, but you are not going to have the greatest transparency or high frequency "air" in your music.  Even the Topping D90 is more transparent with more "air" than the gustard.   I would actually get the D90 over the Gustard at this point (my personal opinion). 

The Topping D90 is great if you really only at that $800 level, but you're kind of stuck there at that point.  There is no where to go, no way for improvements.

The Gustard X22 might be cleaner (less distortion) than the Topping D90.  The Topping might be better in other ways.