Do hi-end DACs offer true value or diminishing return...
These two hi-fedelity recordings posted on Youtube allow one to audition the state-of-the-art, highly raved R2R DACs with values ranging from $850 all the way to $6,500. Please use headphone or, play back to your stereo system if you think your system is revealing enough. The question to ask to yourself is that the true hi-end (w/ high price tag) gears offer you true values or just a diminishing-return foolproof. In my system, I do hear the differences but, to me, the differences might not be that significant to justify the luxious spending. Maybe my system is not revealing enough. Maybe the recording quality through the on-line broadcasting degrades. How about you? Do you hear major differences?
Terminator Plus ($6.5k), Venus II ($3k)
Terminator $4.5k, Ares II ($850)
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If you seek an R2R DAC, I know that the Denafrips Ares spits out pretty respectable test measurements. As does the Holo Audio DAC, which is eye candy, too. Terminator has some engineering enhancements compared with Ares. So, toss-up between Terminator and Holo I reckon. Yes, you will hear a difference. I know this, for reasons. This is about R2R DACs only. |
@ghpprentice my system is listed on Augdiogon. I am a manufacturer and modification/upgrade/repair service for any electronic device. Direct Heat Triode DAC using 101D tubes with 25 pound power supply, 6SN7 preamp with separate power supply, either pure class A stereo power amplifier 50wpc, hybrid power amplifier 100wpc, tube mono blocks 40wpc class A & 70wpc AB, VAC music box 160 tube mono blocks, VTL tube mono blocks, etc Speakers Vandersteen 7s, 5As, Sonus Faber Stradivari, Horning, filed coils, etc. Happy Listening
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@mrmeaner Denafrips Pontus II might be a sweet point based on the reviewers' comments. At this point of time, I pretty much rule out D/S dacs and only consider R2R dacs for the "high-end" dac that possibly matches my system. Ares II seems a bit grainy on top end and soft low. As far as the FPGA dac is concerned, the model within the similar price range worthy of consideration is Qutest but I was sort of convinced it is less preferrable than Pontus II. From the recording (again I'm hopeless) The soundstage seems more 3D but a bit artificial not as natural as Pontus II. |
Wait??? You’re comparing dacs thru the dac you already own. Unless the quality of your dac is actually better than the ones being demoed how would you know? What is your definition of value? Are you talking merely dollars or the importance of sound? Dollars are just a construct to assign value but have nothing to do with the actual value of any item. |
