DAC Question: Delta-Sigma vs R2R

@tennisdoc56 I have looked at the Audio GD R7 (R2R) and it is similar to the Soekris DAC2541 (R2R) in that they both employ FPGA technology.

Both are very good of course but the presence of FPGA introduces some issues which I’d prefer to avoid. That’s just me, of course, and FPGA is slightly off topic.

[The Soekris DAC 1101 had FPGA.  So did the model that replaced it, 1321.  Then 1421.  Then 1521. Now 2541. 

So much for simply just having to upgrade the program in the FPGA chip.

And that is all I have to say about that]

Those highly raved entry level DACs, including Topping E30, SMSL Sanskrit 10th Mk II and Loxjie D30, indeed have very good measurements and appealing to the ears. I had them all but sold them all after listening to mid-tier DACs such as SMSL SU-9 which is just in a different league with more dynamics, punchy low end and more engagement. Noise floor is also quieter. Not until you hear them side-by-side, you would probably never sense the differences. For example, among those entry-level DACs, E30 is the most neutral and analytical but leaner on the bass and tends to flat. This was also confirmed by one of popular reviewers on line, which means if I read more reviews and get more feedback before I pull the triggers I would potentially avoid so much hassle. I understand probably most of us do not have access to "trying" out as many as DACs or other gears within the neck of the woods. Take advantage of the "free-return" policy on Amazon, for example, but not to abuse it for being a good citizen. I would strongly suggest read as many on-line "reliable" reviews (use your judgement) as you could and narrow down to a few, say, 2-3 candidates, before trying them out.

Those highly raved entry level DACs, including Topping E30, SMSL Sanskrit 10th Mk II and Loxjie D30, indeed have very good measurements and appealing to the ears.

I think a lot of folks that are budget-minded refuse to believe that there's more to how something sounds than how it measures, most likely due to lack of exposure to better sounding gear or convincing themselves that they can get the "best" at a fraction of the real cost of entry. 

Whatever we start with probably sounds good to us until we have an opportunity to hear better equipment/rooms/setup.  That's when we can open our minds and our ears and wallets and strive for better sound. 

If you're happy with a certain level of sound, there's nothing wrong with that either.  I have heard systems that make mine sound "bad" in comparison, but the cost of entry is more than an order of magnitude more than my budget allows.  I appreciate and enjoy what my system can do, but also recognize and accept its limitations.

I've tried numerous DACs and they all have their own sound signature.  There are some relative bargains (I thought the Schiit Bifrost was quite good for its price) and some over-priced DACs that may not perform as well as others, but like most things in life, you get what you pay for most of the time.

@big_greg 

+1

@big_greg I largely agree with everything but would qualify the second part of your first sentence

most likely due to lack of exposure to better sounding gear or convincing themselves that they can get the "best" at a fraction of the real cost of entry.

Lets forget this notion of *best* for the moment.  Yes, you wisely put that word in apostrophes too.

What is surprising is that is that in fact some exceptionally good DACs are indeed available for the budget minded. @lanx0003 mentioned a couple - the Topping and especially the SMSL. A few hundred bucks new.

The R2Rs that I and others have mentioned are perhaps 5 to 10 (how long is a piece of string? "the cost of entry is more than an order of magnitude more than my budget allows" yeah.) times the price of an exceptional sigma delta DAC..

For the well known declining incremental sound quality, and even that may be psycho acoustic at the levels we are talking about.. Depending on the supplied aliasing filter chosen, frequency curves are generally pencil flat in the audible range. 

Barely perceptible noise floor given that THD and noise is usually below audible hearing at < -120db, sometimes < -140db. Blackness.

Any sound signature is possibly the presence of audible harmonics slipping through (hello R2R!). Other things like connections (people who use USB sometimes have questions here, for example) and other hardware stuff, I dunno.